JAPAN’S WORD ACCEPTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1933, Page 6

JAPAN’S WORD ACCEPTED.

Again a mischievous rumour concerning the alleged aggressiveness of Japan has been circulated. Fortunately, it has been possible for the League of Nations promptly to allay the fears to which it gave rise. The story was 4hat Japan had expended £lOO,OOO on the construction of a submarine base in the Pelew and Marianne Islands in the Pacific. The Geneva correspondent of a paper which is well known to be hostile to Japan cabled the story to Britain, and in the present nervous state of international affairs it was not surprising that the rumour gained credence in some quarters. It was alleged that Japan was keeping the construction of the base a close secret and was forbidding unauthorised visitors to approach the new harbours. The Mandates Commission of the League, however, accepted the Japanese delegates’ assurance that Japan had not the slightest intention of fortifying the islands in contravention of the mandate conditions, and there the matter has ended. The incident has demonstrated the value of the League organisation. In •the absence of such an international body it is probable that the vicious rumour would have led to complications in the relations between the Powers. It also emphasises the danger and the folly of the • activities of scaremongers at a time when relations in many quarters are already tense. A policy of unobtrusive vigilance may be necessary, but groundless “scares” and distrust of other nations shotted from the housetops is not calculated to engender that spirit of friendliness and co-operation which the world so much needs to-day.