JAPAN’S MILITARISM.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18691, 18 July 1932, Page 14

JAPAN’S MILITARISM.

PERIL TO GERMANY.

BRUBNING POLICY MENACED

BERLIN, May 27. The ascendency of the militarists in Japan, well-informed opinion here holds, contains a formidable and multiple danger for Germany. Leaving aside alarmists who regard Premier Inukai’s assassination as another Sarajevo, there is a widespread belief that Japanese jingoism is blanketing the disarmament conference and adding to the headiness of the newly enfranchised European border States. It is feared here, particularly if the Russian forces become concertrated in the Far East, that such States may make their own Shanghai of Danzig or Memel. Worst of all for distressed Germany a Japanese aggressiveness is supplying trump cards for German nationalism and threatening to trip up Chancellor Brucning’s quiet and purposeful foreign policy. For example, the Reichstag’s Foreign Affairs Committee has just adopted a resolution calling on the Government to “make clear to Poland that any attack on Danzig will be regarded by the whole German people as an assault on their vital rights and responded to accordingly.”

Another Resolution. In addition, there is the adoption of another resolution moved by the non-jingo Centrists, acknowledging the Chancellor’s declaration that the lawful rights of the Germans in Danzig and Memel would be protected, but adding, “in view of events there and the outrages against German people, the Foreign Affairs Committee expects the Reich’s Government to take all appropriate measures for the timely prevention of renewed violation of those cities’ rights and interests.” An American in Germany constantly hears the query, “W'hat is the United States going to do about Japan?" Outside National Socialist and other enthusiastic circles there is an awareness that Germany is powerless to apply more than moral and verbal pressure and that action against the Far Eastern peril must 'come from the other great Powers and the League of Nations. The i latter’s alleged passivity and consequent loss of authority and ' prestige are particularly deplored by those who, like the Koelnische Zeitung, regard the League as the world’s sole gainful result of the war. In a lengthy analysis of the situation this organ of moderate liberal opinion blames the Great Power’s, blind to their own real interest, for taking the teeth out of the League and passively abetting the machinations of Japan’s military camarilla. It argues that the Far Eastern embroglio is not a territorial question, but one of militarism, imperialism, and the employment of violence instead of international law and demands Iliac the German Government take a more active role against these evils. Sees It to Reloh’B Interest. The paper declares that Germany’s material interests are on China’s side —her non-industrialised population of •100,000,000 offering a superior potential market for German goods than industrialised Japan’s 60,000,000 —and that Germany, herself oppressed, has a duty to stand up for national freedom and right wherever they are jeopardised. The madness of military jingoism, the Koelnische Zeitung asserts, must be straight-jacketed by the community of nations, and it is of no use for .secretary Stimson to announce that the United States will not recognise situations effected by violation of the Kellogg and Nine-Power Pactb—once a new situation has been brought about it may be eliminated only by war, forcing on the world the very thing whose prevention is the purpose of the League of Nations and the Kellogg Pact.

'Die Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung interprets Russia’s seeking a resumption of diplomatic relations with the United States as a desire to safeguard Hie Soviet's western frontier in Hie event of a Russo-Japanese war, which, although not desired by Russia and likely to be ruinous to Japan, might break out at any moment through collisions on the Manchurian border.

"It Is amazing and shocking that, apart from the League of Nations, not even the dominant Powers—France, Britain and the United States—will’ employ their utmost efforts to prevent the danger of a new catastrophe in the Far East from becoming a reality.” the paper says.

Only yesterday it was announced by the Relschwchr command that the defences of East Prussia would be augmented within the limits set at Versailles and that the fortifications of the so-called lleilsbergcr triangle would be strengthened, assurance being given to the Germans to the cast that they need not fear abandonment and would be safeguarded by the Reich’s armed force.