THE ASTUTE JAP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18071, 8 January 1921, Page 5

THE ASTUTE JAP.

A DIPLOMATIC MOVE. TERRITORY FOR EXCHANGE. Received Jan. 7. 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 7. The Morning Post’s Tokio correspondent expresses the opinion that any discussion on Japanese ambitions must take into account Oriental diplomatic strategy. He says when Japan early in the war demanded the German islands as the price of co-operation it was not with the specific purpose of menacing Australian or American territory, but she hoped thereby to obtain something she really wanted more and which rivals would be more likely to concede, thus by' demanding racial equality at Versailles Japan got the Marshall Islands and succession to German rights in China. She does not want South Sea Islands for naval bases or as territory, but as hostages for the future. If Australia or America like Japanese presence there they are more likely to concede something she wants much more, namely an outlet for her population, possibly by giving her a free hand in Asia. The threat of building a big Japanese Navy might promote the same ambition.