JAPAN’S ADVICE ON THE WEST

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 14

JAPAN’S ADVICE ON THE WEST

HER INFLUENCE IN ABYSSINIA Japan’s thrust into the world of economic imperialism and her rapidly developed interests in Abyssinia are the subject of an article in the Chinese newspaper ‘ Ta Kung,’ which is published at Tientsin. The writer interestingly reviews the rival ambitions and the tangle of conflicting national ambitions as a peace-seeking Chinese sees them. The article states: East Africa, which does not often appear in the newspapers in ordinary times, has been prominent since the disagreement broke out between Italy arid Abyssinia. This question is closely related to the threat of Japanese advance to the West, it is said that the Executive Council of the League will dissuade these two countries and settle their dispute by arbitration. It is worth while discussing the relation between this question and Japan in order to show the beginning of conflict between two imperialisms, white and yellow. We should like first to give an outline showing the way in which Japan has been extending her power. As Japan only became strong a few decades agOj she was very backward, in her colonial enterprise, as compared with Britain. But since the Great War she has moved forward quickly, and now her position is quite different. To-day the colonial power of Japan reaches the continent of Russia and Manchuria in the north, Australia and New Zealand in the south, Brazil and Argentina in South America in the east, and Afghanistan and East Africa in the west. Furthermore, the Philippine Islands, the Sandwich Islands, the Dutch East Indies, Siam, and Annam all seem to come within the sphere of Japanese influence. There is a proverb, “ A new-born calf is more violent than a tiger,” which would represent modern Japan. That is why Signor Mussolini referred to the “ Yellow Peril.” The real meaning of Japanese imperialism and its progress is the most interesting question for people who study international relationships. FORCE NECESSARY. Let us open the atlas: We cannot find one square inch of earth without any sovereignty. A country like Japan, which has come late into the colonial field and wishes to realise her wide‘ambition, cannot'do'anything but seize by force. Great Britain, the Empire which has the largest .’investment in East Asia, does nob wish anyone to enter into the gates of China and India. 'But Japan has thrust her way into the sphere of British interest and the commercial treaty, between Japan and India last year proves how far she has succeeded. Recently the British have paid great attention and put much energy into increasing the navy and air forces in Hongkong and Singapore in order to protect Australia in the south and India in the East, and to maintain their great interest in China. What they have done is splendid, but would Japan stop her design of advancing -to the West? No! Even if Great Britain were to give up her ambition in the Far East and satisfy herself by protecting only Australia and India, would Japan agree with her? No! How can we know this? We have the tangible evidence of what Japan has done in Abyssinia recently. STEPS TAKEN BY JAPAN. Everyone knows that Germany and Italy nave designs of advance in the East, but they do not pay attention to the advance of Japan in the West. We shall be greatly astonished when we examine tfte facts clearly. What are the steps in this advance of Japan to the West? First, she makes friends with Siam and intrigues with the East Indies in order that she may but the canal of Kra to smash the excellent position and plan of Singapore. Secondly, she tries to be friendly with Afghanistan in order to occupy the root of the world to compete with Great Britain and Russia in Central Asia. Thirdly, she helps Abyssinia in order to get on the shore of the Red Sea, the gate of Asia and Europe. She goes on with these proceedings just as a player who, hoping to win the game of chess, scatters many chessmen which seem unnecessary uhtil he reaches his real objective. To sum up, all these facts are worthy of discussion by people who are examining the policy of Japan, and the recent relations between Japan and-Abyssinia should be the tangible evidence of what we have said.

it is quite new that Japan has spread her economic power to Abyssinia. The Year Book for 1931 says that India held about 57 per cent, of Abyssiniaii imports, and Japan had only 12 per cent., but to-day 80 per ceiit. of the cotton imported comes from Japan.' We can see what a heavy blow to British trade this is. In the autumn of 1933 the Minister of Diplomatic Affairs of Abyssinia declared that 400 hectares of ground would be leased to the Japanese free of rent or cotton growing. In the treaty between Japan and Abyssinia Japan obtained _ the right to rent ground for growing cotton and coffee trees. . Four years ago the JapaneseAbyssinia Company gained the privilege of renting 650,000 hectares of ground in Abyssinia, paying only 10 per centof the price of the crops grown on this land.

In March, 1934, these two countries concluded an emigration treaty, arid both Governments encouraged mixed marriages between their peoples. _ Furthermore, Abyssinia gave trie highest favour to Japanese commerce by decreasing the duty on Japanese goods; All these things have greatly distressed Italy and Great Britain. Besides her economic policy, Japan has been aiding Abyssinia' a great _ deal politically, in such ways as helping her to organise and train new troops, selling to her recently constructed tanks and aeroplanes, sending fjer military and engineering experts, and supplying her with ammunition. RACE PREJUDICE. The Abyssinians made overtures to the European nations, but they were not cordially received because of race prejudice, Now both the Japanese and the Abyssinians belong to the coloured races; between them friendship rises quickly and intimately. In the eyes of Europeans it is natural that it should be thought of as the threat of the " Yellow Peril.” The British do not like Japan’s advance to the West to extend her power in the rear of India, so they pre, willing to help Italy to settle her authority in East Africa. On the other hand, because of the battle in Afabia in 1934, when Hejna defeated Yemen, all the power of Italy in Arabia was Swept away. Italy has to make up for this by strengthening her power in East Africa. The resulting success or failure

of these two new imperialisms standing opposite in the East and West should be the measure of tlie powei- of the yellow and white races. It is iriipossible to exaggerate .the importance of this. It really is a vital question for the whole world. ; For oui' part, wb do not agree with any imperialism, white or yellow. We are certain that the result of competition and force, will be only destruction; We feel that to make the whole world one family with the real spirit of peace arid altruism ought to be the ideal and purpose of all people. But the tragedy is that this is not in the minds of those who are obsessed with the thought of , material advantge and prosperity, 1