The Wanagnui Chronicle. FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1935. RUSSIA, GERMANY AND JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 6

The Wanagnui Chronicle. FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1935. RUSSIA, GERMANY AND JAPAN

YYERMANY and Japan have been drawing closer together in recent years, and this has had the result of bringing Soviet Russia into the League of Nations. Russia to-day feels the scissors nip of Germany and Japan, and seeks allies. It is because of this fear of aggression on two fronts, the Japanese acting through Manchuria and Germany attacking from the west, that Russia has developed a mighty air force. It is this new arm in the Russian field that has made her a far more potential danger than she was formerly. It is for this reason that Japan is desirous first of setting up a buffer state in Manchuria—which has already been accomplished—and of having an ally in the western world which is sufficiently strong to compel a division of Russia’s air force. “Japan has no desire to annex Manchukuo as a part of her territory, or to make it a tributary state or a colony,” writes Tsunejiro Miyaoka in International Conciliation (No. 307). “What we wish to see in that country is the successful maintenance of law and order, the development of industry and communication, the consolidation of national finance, and the advancement of education and culture. Meanwhile, as Mr. Hiroti has said, ‘Japan must'watch, not without some grave misgivings, the activities of the Communist Party and the increasing rampancy of the Red Armies in China.’ ” The same Japanese writer asserts that “We have reason to believe that unwarranted criticisms directed against Japan are broadcast both at home and abroad, through the Press and other channels, by the Governmental authorities of the Union of Soviet Republics. Powerful air forces are gathered on the Soviet side of the frontier lines which separates that country from Manchukuo and Korea, but it is hoped that the Soviet Union will, before long, understand the true intentions of Japan and that all questions at isSUe between the two countries are amenable to usual diplomatic processes.” General Araki’s assertion that “Herr Hitler's prerogative is lo strengthen the Fatherland’s forces against possible menaces, such as the Soviet, although we rate the Russians as not formidable owing to lack of unity, particularly in the outlying areas,” is somewhat self-contradictory. The self-contradictory statement is doubtless intended to encourage Herr Hitler, or at least to offer a justification for his action, and at the same time to depreciate the military stock of the Soviets. General Araki is nevertheless near to the truth when he declares that “The Muscovites are children playing with fireworks, and therefore Herr Hitler, who is near, needs to protect his borders. ’ ’ There' is undoubtedly a danger to Germany from Russia, but it is neither imminent nor probable, because the interests of Germany and Russia do not clash. The two countries could make air raids on each other, but they could not successfully occupy the territory of the other, and common sense should restrain the two from making mutually destructive excursions into each other’s territory.