FUTURE OF PACIFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1923, Page 1

FUTURE OF PACIFIC.

A NEW COMBINATION. JAPAN, RUSSIA AND GERMANY. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON. June 13. The “Morning Post,” in its special articlo on the Pacific, continues:—“Until 1904, the Russian influence was probably greater at Peking than that of any other nation, but the Japanese War caused a setback, which was accentuated by the events of the Great War, and the Russian Revolution, and this lias made tho Soviet determined to regain the Russian influence in Asiatic affairs. Tho recapture of Yladivostock last October re-opened the door to the Pacific. Al. Joffe, the Soviet Minister in Peking, is tt clever diplomatist. His instructions front Moscow will have a serious hearing on the Eastern balance of power. If Russia joins Japan, the two will soon he overstrong for Western influence in North China., and if Dr Sun A at Sen accepts Russian aid in tho south, the Soviet will have a foothold throughout China, fraught with danger to Britain’s Indian possessions. There is a. Chinese secret- society, tho Quoin ing tang, under Bolshevik influence. It was behind the disastrous Hong Kong strike in 1921. It also sought rei—ntly to damage British property in Malaya, through terrorising the Chinese residents there. Dr Sun Aat Sen uses this society, lie also has sought propaganda aid from Berlin and Alos-1-i.nv. '('lie dissatisfied Chinese student classes are susceptible to propaganda, but Urn ordinary peasant population, whoso ideals are based on family life, are unlikely to succumb thereto. There is a danger, however, that the Chinese as a whole might follow the leaders, while not realising where that lead is taking them. AL Jolfe recently has been in .Japan, and it is not improbable that bis discussions there affected matters vital to European influence in the East. Tho German interest in China dropped during the war, but it fins lately been recovering, and hints arc not wanting of an understanding In-tween Germany. Russia and Japan—- :> combination which is unlikely to favour Anglo-American influence in the Far East, and one that might become strong enough to squeeze out oldestablished businesses. Germany is actively connected with Russia in Europe, both in matters of future trade enterprise, and hostility to other AYcstern nations. These groups seek to wilt over a large share of the AngloAmerican influence and interests in China. llavipg similar aims, they could, in combination, do irreparable damage before disagreeing among themselves. However, the problem is viewed, it is not favourable to the present balance of power in the Pacific.