JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1933, Page 5

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

“A PREVENTIVE WAR.” SENSATION AT GENEVA. t London, March 21. A sensation has been caused at Geneva by the Japanese delegation’s frank admission that a "preventive” war against Russia was being seriously considered by Japan. Russia is known to be exceedingly apprehensive over the penetration of Japanese troops to the Russian frontier in North-east and North-west Manchuria. Japanese military circles and newspapers often discuss "the inevitability of preventive war,” designed to consolidate the position of Manchukuo, to dissipate the Communist menace and to acquire the rich maritime province of Eastern Siberia. Advocates of war argue that, whereas Japan is ready now for war, she cannot long sustain her present military expenditure. . , The existence of these views is otncially confirmed by M. Matsuoka, leader of the Japanese delegation to the LeagueIn a foreword to 1 a Japanese pamphlet privately circulated at Geneva he says:— “There are two trends of thought in Japan regarding Russia. One holds that the Soviet menaces Japan because of her efforts to spread Bolshevism in the Far East, also because of her military development. ■ "These Japanese think that Japan should strike the Soviet before the menace fully materialises. The other school, to which I subscribe, considers that the issues can be settled by diplomatic means.” This statement has confirmed Russia s worst fears, because the military party, which favours war with Russia, now dominates Japan.

M. Matsuoka and other moderates have lost their influence. No wonder M. Voroshiloff expressed anxiety, recently. Japan has plans for the invasion of North China and the capture of Peking. There is no clear dividing line between Inner and Outer Mongolia. The extension of hostilities in this region is almost,, bound to lead to complications with Russia.