JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1933, Page 7

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

SENSATION CAUSED AT GENEVA

“PREVENTIVE” WAR BEING PLANNED.

LONDON, March 30

A sensation has been caused at Geneva by the Japanese delegation’s frank admission that a “preventive” war against Russia was being seriously considered by Japan. Russia is known to bei exceedingly apprehensive over the penetration of Japanese troops to the Russian frontier in. North-east and North-west Manchuria.

Japanese military circles and newspapers often discuss “the inevitability I of preventive war,” designed to consoli- | date the position of Monchukuo, to j dissipate tho Communist menace and to acquire the rich maritime province of Eastern Siberia. j Advocates of war argue that,' where- ; as Japan is ready now for war, she | cannot long sustain her present, milit- ! ary expenditure.

The existence of these views is officially confirmed by M. Matsuoka leader of the Jepanese delegation to the League. In a foreword to a Japanese pamphlet privately circulated at Geneva he says : “There are two trends of thought in Japan regarding Russia. One holds that the Soviet menaces Japan because of her efforts to spread Bolshevism in

the Far East, also because! of her military development, “These Japanese think that Japan should strike the Soviet before the menace fully materialises. The other school, to which I subsci’ibe, considers that th© issues can be settled by diplomatic means.” ' .

’The statement has confirmed .Russia’s worst fears, because the military party, which favours war with Russia, now dominates Japan.

M. Matsuoka and other moderates have lost their influence. No wonder M. Voroshiloff expressed axiety recently. Japan has plans for the invasion of North China and the capture, of Peking. There is no clear dividing line between Inner and Outer Mongolia. The extension of hostilities, in this region is almost bound to lead to complications with Russia.