PRESSURE ON JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 5

PRESSURE ON JAPAN

BRITAIN’S FIRM STAND

REFUSAL TO RECOGNISE CHANGES.

OR TO IGNORE CHIANG KAI-SHEK.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, LONDON, January 16.

Commentators here emphasise that the British Note to Japan, in which it was made clear that Britain could not recognise certain changes which Japan proposes to make in China and Inner Mongolia, leaves no doubt of the recognition by Britain that, despite his continued defeats and grim prospects, and Japan’s ignoring his existence, General Chiang Kai-shek still represents China. Thus the puppet Governments which Japan has established are not accepted as competent to negotiate Chinese questions in which' other Powers are interested.

Political observers in Tokio express the view that the British Note was stiffer that the American Note. It will undoubtedly increase Japanese Anglophobia, though it will make possible further procrastination over the request for detailed information regarding the Japanese conditions for peace. It is at present impossible to obtain any further information on this point because of the diverse and confused ideas in the highest Japanese circles, varying with the ebb and flow of the military position in China and the probabilities or otherwise of a European conflict. It is also suggested in Tokio that the Note.is intended to offset the loss of face suffered by Mr Chamberlain in Rome.

The Foreign Minister, Mr Arita, hinted that he would make no answer to the British or American Notes till he speke in the Diet on January 23, when he is expected to say that the Nine-Power Pact is dead and that China is in Asia and not in America, Europe, or the British Empire. According to the Tokio correspondent of “The Times,” the Japanese Foreign Office spokesman, explaining his personal view only, said: —“The British Note lacks realisation of the present trend of Far Eastern opinion.” It is the opinion of the entire nationalist school, continues the correspondent, that Far Eastern affairs must be discussed in the light of China’s defeat and Japan’s determination to create a new order in East Asia. Japan is convinced that she can meet the wishes of England and America if these are limited to trade investments, but, if the aim is the preservation of Chinese integrity, the "open door,” and other provisions of the Nine-Power Treaty. Japan cannot agree without vitally modifying her declared policy. This no one familial’ with Japanese opinion believes possible before Japan has tested the length to which the Anglo-Saxon Powers are prepared to go and the utility of the Tokio-Berlin-Rome axis.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE BRITISH NOTE WELCOMED. REGRET THAT IT DID NOT COME EARLIER. Ey Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WASHINGTON, January 17. The British note to Japan is welcomed in congressional circles here, but there have been some rather pointed expressions of regret, that the British actions came only after some apparent setbacks in Mr Chamberlain's European appeasement programme. Senator Pittman said: "I consider the action of Britain encouraging, but it is only the second time in seven years that Britain or any of the Nine-Power Fact signatories have supported American attempts to maintain peace and obedience to the treaty. It is unfortunate that Britain did not support our protest when Japan invaded Manchuria.’