The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1941. AMERICA AND THE EMPIRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 277, 28 February 1941, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 1941. AMERICA AND THE EMPIRE

JOINT warning- by Great Britain and America to the Japanese Government that any further encroachment m a southerly direction. win fee treated as a direct threat to Anglo-American interests has been welcomed in the South Pacific, where for many years the possibility of a swift descent by the Japanese navy has caused genuine concern. This belief has been intensified by the action of the militaristic government now holding office in the Imperial Nipponese empire, and the fact that the once all-powerful Mikado has had his wings severely clipped and must now bow before the ambitious desires of the army heads holding power. The Jap. navy, powerful, modern, and as yet untried has been straining at the leash throughout the exciting years which brought to the- Empire Manchuria, and the adjacent state of Manchukuo. The threat from the north was very real and the Australasian states takes great comfort in the news that both Britain and America are prepared to act immediately should the drive south develop beyond a certain point. Such action by America would would have a two-fold effect for net only would the South Pacific be given protection, but the United States would automatically be forced into the v%ir as an active combatant, bringing the two great English-speaking Democracies to the forefront as the champions of all freedom-loving peoples of earth. Thus the plans of the third partner in the Anti-Commitern pact have received a rude rebuff, and for a time at least it is safe to surmise that the possibilities of invasion in this connection have been lifted, at least temporarily. The Japanese Foreign Minister has declared in a typical speech that his country has an ardent desire for peace and understanding with the democracies. His declaration however stands in stark contrast to the anti-British campaign now being launched by the Japanese press, and the state-inspired demonstrations against Britain which are now taking place. The flimsy excuse that Britain is threatening Jap. interests is put forward through the garrisoning of Singapore, and the most strategic islands of the Malay Peninsula has been instigated only by the militant attitude of Japan herself. The latest claims to the whole of Oceana, by a competent Japanese spokesman may have been a little premature for official release, but with this gratuitous information it is only reasonable to presume that Britain is taking no risks and is establishing as speedily as possible the requisite garrisons and fighting forces in all the key positions of the Far East. In viewing the position as it obtains to-day, one thing stands out above all others, and that is the sudden understanding which has developed between the two great Democracies that enabled them to act in concert and deliver to- the Japanese Government someclosely resembling an ultimatum.