JAPANESE TREND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24254, 23 March 1940, Page 12

JAPANESE TREND

ATTITUDE TO ALLIES IMPROVED RELATIONS TOKIO PRESS OPTIMISM LONDON, Mar. 12. Commenting on the announcement by the Japanese Foreign Office that Japan desires to improve her relations with France, and is prepared to open conversations in Paris and Tokio, the Tokio correspondent of The Times notes " unmistakable symptoms" of improving relations between Japan and Britain and France. The correspondent points to the successful settlement of the Asamu Maru affair, the progress toward agreement in the Tientsin dispute, and a current discussion in the Japanese press as to how the improvement can be used to effect peace in China. The Japan Times, the organ of the Foreign Office, forecasts great changes in Japan's relations with Britain and France. It bases its hopes on the recent conversations between the Japanese Ambassador in London, Mr Shigemitsu, and the British Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) although it admits that there is no tangible foundation for this opinion. Hope for Peace in China The opinion reflects widely-held ideas. It is based on the desire of Britain and France to preserve tranquility in the East while the European war lasts, and on Japan's desire to effect a settlement in China through the proposed new Central (puppet) Government of Wang Ching-wei, the renegade Chinese Nationalist. It is realised that the puppet Government alone could not restore peace, but Wang's function is to provide a bridge between Tokio and Chungking, and therefore it is necessary that any peace terms should guarantee Chinese independence. If such, a peace is offered, it is hoped that the British Government will employ its influence in Chungking against the continuance of useless warfare. Before the good offices of the British Government could be expected, however, it would be necessary for Japan to give tangible proof of her intention to respect and restore British rights in China, and it would be necessary for Japan to abolish the Tientsin blockade and reopen the Yangtse River to foreign shipping.

British View Not Realised The Tokio correspondent of The Times comments that the article in the Japan Times is unduly influenced by the idea that Japan, having failed to obtain American approval, can now win British and French suDDort for her plans in China. The writer of the article fails to realise that Britain will not be a party to the sacrifice of China's independence and will not sacrifice good relations with America, although the suggestion that Japan is preparing to agree to Chinese independence and to respect foreign rights can be regarded as highly important.