JAPAN AND POWERS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 184, 19 May 1939, Page 4

JAPAN AND POWERS

POLICY MAY BE CHANGED BETTER FRIENDS POSITION IN WORLD WAR LONDON, April 11.—There is increasing evidence of a change in Japan’s policy towards foreign interests in China. > First, there has been the recent conference between the British Ambassadors in Japan and China, Sii Robert C'raigje, and Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, and Tokio’s cool reception of Spain’s adherence to the antiComintern Pact. Now; comes a report of an address by the Japanese Prime Minister, Baron Hiranuma, to liaison officers who have just been appointed to offices m Tientsin, Shanghai, Tsiugtao, Amoy, and inner Mongolia. Baron Hiranuma said that the Japanese Government desired to settle as quickly as possible questions pending with other Powers in.. China. The work of reconstruction was now beginning, lie said, and must naturally be carried on in co-operation with the military authorities, but, as foreign relations were involved, liaison officers must also maintain close contact with tlie F'orein Office in order to avoid discrepancies in. national policy. Japan, he continued, was not seeking to exclude, or restrict, foreign activities except in fields where Japan’s national, security or vital economic interests were concerned. The Southward Drive. The Japanese newspapers predict a conference to discuss the reopening oi the Yangtse River. The fisheries dispute with Russia having apparently been settled, it appears that Japan is anxious also to improve relations with Britain, the United States, and France. It is impossible not to see these moves in relation to- European developments, as well as in the light ol the growing conviction that the Chinese hinterland is unconquerable and of Japan’s niO'St acute economic troubles.

it is considered that tile tinner policy of the democracies towards the Rcme-lierlin axis, and the recent declarations of the United States Government have convinced Japan that she is likely to he in m loss’ happy position in the event of a world war than she apparently imagined in Septemher last.

Since September, too, she has gained Canton, Hainan Island, in the gulf of Tongkin, and the Spratley group in the South China Sea. She may feel that she needs time for consolidation, and that she is not ready for' further commitments.

During the last six months the Dutch and Australian defence preparations, and thei American plans in relation to Guam have given a new complexion to possible Japanese plans for further advances to tlm south. """