RUSSIA AND JAPAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 23, 2 March 1942, Page 6

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

FAR EASTERN EMGMA

WHY NOT A BELLI(IERENT

The position in the Pacific is serious, but not more serious than our experts and politicians knew it would be. That this situation was anticipated, we have only to recall Mr Chamberlain's blunt statement, that in the event of war in the Pacific we would have to defend ourselves.

New Zealand will defend itself with courage and determination. Our traditional ability to adapt ourselves to any and all conditions will stand us in good stead in the event of an invasion. But the fact that we are prepared to fight should not stop anyone from asking questions, and making observations.

One outstanding fact of this war is tlifit the people have been in advance of their leaders and politicians, while diplomats were appeasing dictators, the people instinctively felt the menace of fascism; but it required, the fall of our bastions to undermine all those preconceived notions and happ3 r day dreams in which Ave were sc won't to dwell —■ the Maginot Line and Singapore buttresses nothing more than a mental pool of stagnant water (they probably also made the contractors happy—and richer) .

As a direct result of those jolts, the critical faculty of the average man is becoming more sharply developed. We arc all asking questions. We .want to know "Why." It is not good enough to pass ever these unfortunate incidents with the usual "BBC Boloney." A Query I have a question to ask. It is an unusual question. A question not asked in the more respectable commentaries of our news service. A question of great importance to New Zealand. A question, the answer to which is the solution to the Pacific problem.

I want to know why when. Britain. America and Russia tight Germany and Italy, only Britain and America fight Japan. Now in reph' to this question most people would assert that Russia is doing quite enough in holding Nazi Germany. In' fact this attitude is natural and really reflects cur gratitude to the only nation which has so far been able to successfully withstand and thrash the perverted young men cf Hitler's shock armv.

Another possible'answer might bo that it has been necessary for the Soviet to so denude the far east of men and equipment, that under no circumstances would she be able to conduct a major war against Japan oven although allied with Britain and America. Or again the suspicions which have so characterised the relations between Russia and the big capitalist nations may be intervening in such a way that her entry into the war against Japan is being delayed in precisely the same way as was her entry into the conflict with GermanyWill she wait again until attacked by Japan? This article is not only an attempt to analyse this question but is also an urgent appeal to reconsider our still bigotted and narrow official attitude to the Soviet Union. "Buts and Ifs" Against our will, against all we had been taught, against the wishes of Germany's military strategists, but principally against the desires of England's financial aristocracy (including the holders of shares in Malay rubber anil tin) history per medium of Adolf Hitler has given us firatis, a magnificent all\-. Under ordinary circumstances no sane person looks a gift horse in the mouth, but every leading article on "Russia in our daily press is hedged with qualifications and "buts" and "ifs." After all, why should it worry us if the Russians do teach their children the laws of nature according to the theory el' evolution or avliv should we go into a rage because socialism is to Russia what money grubbing is to us? Live and let live is not only practical polities today. in cur relations with the Soviet Union, hut the welding of !!ios.' relations into a military alliance against Japan is an urgent and nr.-ve'-vnrv pi'-ce el' a nr.lilical strategy. Yet on tiv eve of Singapore's fa! 1 our Prime Mini.Uer in reo'y I" MLee and Mr Marr.nrd in their request fo sond renresenlai ives to Russia, refuses with peir'i'e reasons Jo r-»■>... n'y. Moreover Mr Srwimgeour who was .'ionised while praising the Gov fpin-'nt in Frievdly Road s'-ss'ore* wa.s immediately hamstrung cn giv-

ng a session of praise on Russia

Because of this talk he is no longer alloAved on flic air on Sunday night.

These tilings would attract little attention in more normal times but to-day they can be interpreted as reflecting our official attitude to Russia and it is here that the danger

lies because, in my opinon suspicion. is to some extent responsible For Russia's non entry into the war against Japan.

Needed in Pacific

If Max Werner, whom I have quoted in previous articles, unofficially expresses the view of the Sovietviet Government about Avar in the Pacific, then this Avar can only be AA r on Avith the assistance of the Soviet far Eastern Army. In the writer's opinion this result Avill be acliicved. but it avOI be no consolation to New Zealand to have to Avait until history again forces the issue.

Most naval experts agree that America and Britain require Russian assistance in the Pacific Avhich the Japanese naA r al officer aa t lio Avrote that very far-seeing work Avith the title "Japan must fight Britain" said that an essential condition for Japan's success Avas a pact of neutrality Avith Russia.

Experts can be quoted by the yard on the part to be played by the Russians in the Pacific, and they all agree on one thing—under no circumstances would Russia strengthen one front at the expense of the other. She must at all times be able to hold both fronts.

This is why so much importance is attached to keeping Russia going in the way of equipment etc. A collapse on- one front means collapse on both. The collapse of Russia means the end of the Democracies. The end of the Democracies means that we would be too busty learning the gentle art of Japanese 'Bushido' and 'coi-prosperity etc.' to have any time left to even ponder the funny things we used say and do whenever it was suggested that New Zealand should treat the "Bolsheviks" like men instead of animals. Such questions as to the reason the British peoples tried to run a modern Avar led by Feudal Barons will then have no significance.