BERLIN TO TOKIO.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 5

BERLIN TO TOKIO.

GERMANY’S LATEST SCHEME,

The Munich Neuste Nachrichten discloses the fact that Germany’s latest political catchword is “Berlin to Tokio.’’ The paper points out that the Prussian promoters of this brilliant idea must organise Russia before she is able to realise the scheme, which also involves more effective support than Germany’s allies are —ely to afford. After the war Japan, who has done good business out of the war, will not bo likely to abandon the present profitable tactics.

“Berlin to Tokio, ” the paper adds, is only a poor substitute for a world policy and freedom of the seas, which is Germany’s true destiny. The Times commenting on the Berlin to Tokio scheme, points out that its aim is to tie Japan to the Hohenzollorn chariot wheels and embroil her with America and the Western Allies in order to deal with her at leisure, as Germany wanted to deal with her when she tore up the treaty of Shimonoseki and urged the Czar, in 1904, to make war on Japan, The collapse of Riifcsia may, in the German opinion furnish an opportunity to revive this past scheme; but Gorman diplomacy ignores Japanese loyalty and enlightened self-interest. The Russian situation has not taken the Japanese Government by surprise. The possibility of a separate peace by Imperial Russia more than a year ago caused Japan to ponder over her possible action in the event of Russia proving false to her pledges. “Unless we are gravely mistaken,” continues the article, “the present situation will appeal to Japanese statesmen as urgently as did the earlier contingency. Japan must be trusted to face the position without flinching. The moment may be at hand for the Allies to lend moral support to any action she may feel bound to undertake for tho protection of her and their interests. Though Asia is only one aspect of the war, it is daily becoming more prominent and more grave. “Should Japan, after consulting tho Allies, take steps on her own account, and as an Allied mandatory forestall the German plans, we believe she would enjoy _ implicit trust and the hearty goodwill of those understanding the immensity of tho Allied interests.

“Although the standard of Japan censorship is strict, Japanese circles in London expect decisive action at Vladivostok and Harbin.”