JAPAN’S OBJECTIVE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 1

JAPAN’S OBJECTIVE.

Driving Wedge Between U.S. and Britain. OPEN' DOOR POLICY. LONDON’, February 10. With Japan trying to drive a wedge between Britain and America and with Britain declining a renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance especially because the Dominions will not tolerate entanglements in the Pacific or elsewhere, an interesting situation will face the Dominion Premiers when they confer with the British Cabinet and the Committee of Imperial Defence during the Jubilee. More attention than ever is being concentrated on the Pacific by British authorities. Recent happenings confirm the belief that the Japanese are preparing to extend their activities into Mongolia, though Japanese militarists and civilians are divided regarding the extent of the intrusion. This does not arouse alarm here, but an important development is the definite sign of a Sino-Japanese rapprochement. Nobody thinks it will be as sensational as a recent Japanese newspaper report indicated—that the Japanese would introduce a Monroe doctrine for China and Japan, inducing the Chinese to jettison all Western interests and enter a Sino-Japanese alliance.

Chinese Weaken? The opinion is held that the Chinese will not abandon Western advisers or associations, and moreover w'ill not tolerate a close alliance with Japan. However, there is definite evidence that the Chinese are now affable towards Japan. Indeed, northern Chinese are at present negotiating for an understanding with Japan. The Chinese Central Government is astutely leaving the discussions to the northerners, being aware that if the conclusions are too far-reaching the agreement can be repudiated. A Sino-Japanese rapprochement is developing over Manchuria, where trade is now' mutual. Chinese recognition of Manchukuo is foreseen, after which other Powers must follow suit. Meanw’hile, Japanese pre-occupations in China preclude trouble with the Soviet. A great Anglo-Japanese trade struggle prevails, the British regarding China as a vital market. What happens there may decide the destinies of the Pacific. Thus far there is no concrete sign of the AngloAmerican co-operation so w’idely desired. The British attitude seems to be that the Dominions would not care to be involved in any Anglo-Japanese complications. General Smuts, in his famous London speech, urging an Anglo-American understanding, created an immense impression in British Cabinet circles. Ministers seeing in it a reflection of the general Dominion attitude that the closest co-operation between Britain and America is essential to peace in the Pacific. These questions w r ill be discussed during the Jubilee as a sequel to Sir Maurice Hankey’s tour.