CUTTING UP CHINA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1244, 12 May 1914, Page 4

CUTTING UP CHINA.

JAPANESE ADVANCES

Very quietly and furtively, but very fiercly, a terrific struggle is proceeding for concessions in China. Whilst the consortium between the financial houses, hallmarked by the Great Powers, ex isted, there was an under-ground striving to obtain the largest sphere of influence. This was conducted by a Machiavellian diplomacy, and bad at least the meiit of being known to the members of the pool. England, with a high sense of honour, refrained Irom trying to filch concessions to the prejudice of her partners, but finding that they were utterly unmoral, she finally denounced the pact. Since then there has been an ever-growing scuffle amongst the Powers to obtain every possible privilege by hook or by crook, and the Standard Oil Company, utilising its immense monetary resources, got; to windward of most of its competitiors. By filling the President's empty Treasury with much - needed Chinese dollars, it has obtained the right to search for oil in the very best part of China. The European Powers w -, o had been chasing the same concession greeted the . ictory of i:h_ Standard Oil Company as tne survival of the fittest. But Japan is not minded to let America get a firm foothold in the Chinese Republic. If the United States hao an uuhmited supply of oil fuel oj that ride of the Pacific, Japanese naval superiority might be seriously cLAlenged by America. Tokio has, therefore sent its skilful negotiator to Pekin to impress upon the President that a clause must be inserted in the Standard Oil agreement, declaring that in case of war the United Stater, navy shall be debarred from using Chinese oil fuel. The issue is fairly vital to Japan, if she is to develop her destiny as she believes by pacific penetration and ultimate acquisition of China. That she should, in the assertion of her foreign relations, come into sharp conflict with America is one more reason why there cannot be much reciprocity or goodwill between the United States and Japan, and also one more reason why Australia should uot build her future upon the Japanese Alliance.