RIVAL AMBITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1923, Page 5

RIVAL AMBITIONS.

NATIONS IN FAR EAST. THE INFLUENCE OF RUSSIA. THREAT TO BRITAIN’S HOLD NEW ALLIANCE FEARED. Another striking article on the problems of the Far East is contributed to the London Morning Post. It deals with the efforts of Russia to recapture her hold there, and suggests that Russia, Japan and Germany combined would provide formidable rivals to the ambitions of England and America. (By Arrangement with the Morning Post— Copyright Australian Press Assn.) Received June 13, 5.5 p.m. London, June 13.

Up to 1904 no European nation had probably more influence at Peking than Russia, but the Japanese war gave her a setback from which she has not recovered. To the Russians this disaster was unbearable and the events of the Great War and the revolution have only hardened the hearts of her politicians in a determination to re-establish her position in Asiatic affairs.

With the recapture of Vladivostock last October the old Pacific door was re-opened to Russian influence, and the Soviet is now determined, with or without China’s help, to regain and consolidate her precious Oriental interests. In M. Joffe, its Minister at Peking, the Soviet has one of its best-trained and cleverest diplomats, and on his instructions from Moscow depends not a little the future Eastern balance of power. RUSSO-JAPANESE PACT. If Russia throws in her lot with Japan these two nations together will soon be too strong for Western influence in China north of Yangtsekiang, while if Sun-Yat-Sen accepts Russia’s assistance to make Canton the predominant influence in Chinese politics the Soviet will get a foothold all over China that, if cunningly handled, will do more than any spasmodic propa ganda to stir un trouble in our own Indian possessions! A Bolshevist circular, dated November i 25, 1922, stated definitely that Central Asia and the States bordering India are to be Russia’s outposts, from which the Soviet authority should be able to threaten England powerfully. POWER FOR UNREST. A Chinese secret society named Quomintang has a distinct element of Bolshevist control and it was the power behind the disastrous Hongkong strike early in 1921. This society, through adherents in Java, recently employed its machinery to terrorize the Chinese residents in Malaya and strike a blow at the heart of British prosperity in that country. Sun-Yat-Sen for some time used this society for his own ends at the same time as he was corresponding with Moscow and Berlin as to the need of Bolshevist propaganda. The assistance of such propaganda has a fertile field in the dissatisfied ambitions of the Chinese student classes, but it would be an exaggeration to say that Bolshevist influence will make much headway among the ordinary peasant population. Their ideals are founded on family life and the rights of property, however small. They do not wish for a Communistic existence, but thern is a danger that the Chinese as a whole might follow the leaders without having any ’dea whither that lead is taking them. They have a proverb that “he who rides on a tiger can never dismount,” and if they are wise they will apply this to any Soviet alliance. EFFECT ON INDIA. M. Joffe recently spent some considerable time in Japan in a perfectly open manner. Although his object may have been to discuss the future of Saghalien, it is not improbable that other matters vital to European influence in the Far East were also discussed. The Russian, power in the East at present is almost entirely a propaganda one, but any clash of arms, however small, in the Far East, based on an understanding between Russia and Japan, could not but have a reflex action in India, where sporadic unrest or even mutiny would materially cripple the assistance England could give in Far Eastern affairs. It is worth while pointing out that large German interests in China, which perforce were abandoned durinir the war, have entered upon a period of recrudescence. There have even been hints of an, understanding between Germany, Russia and Japan in these matters. Such a combination could not be expected to favor An-glo-American influence in the Far East and might even create a solid bloc which would successfully squeeze out even well- , established businesses. Germany is actively connected with Russia in Europe, both as regards future trade enterprises and with respect to hostility to other Western nations. POSSIBLE ENEMIES. Russia is seeking the recapture of her Pacific position not at Japan’s expense, but in harmony with her. Both groups naturally desire to win over a large share of the present Anglo-American influence and interests. Although the partners in these alliances may be strange bed-fellows, yet from the similarity of their aims they may in combination do irreparable damage before coming to blows among themselves. Whichever way the problem be viewed it cannot be said to be favorable to the present balance of power in the Pacific.