JAPAN’S POSITION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1940, Page 4

JAPAN’S POSITION.

JAPAN'S position in. the present- state of world affairs is becoming more precarious. The United States shows no signs of weakening in her attitude towards Japan. Despite a certain reduct ion in her widest plans of naval expansion, she is continuing* her policy of building’ up <1 belt oi sh atcgico, influences across the Central Pacific. The latest indication of this is the announcement from Washington that all the coal supplies in Hawaii are being reserved for naval purposes. America is, moreover, displaying an interest in the late ot Dutch possessions both in the West and the Hast Indies; and it may very well be that the conference of the Queen of Holland and I lie Aimeriean Ambassador at The Hague recent h was not for the purpose of discussing the price of the forthcoming tulip crop.

In all, Japan’s position is fraught with dilfieulties. It is clear that the repercussions ol the Russo-Gcrmau pourparlers may vitally affect Japanese interests in Asia, further, the proposal to convert the political terms ol the Paet ol Saadahad (linkiim Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Turkey) into an outright military alliance might affect the Asiatic balance of power in a way'which Japan would have to lake particular notice of. That Japan realises how easily Asiatic affairs might be linked up with European developments is evident from the activities of the Japanese Ambassador in Home and later in lludaposi.

The rapid development' of the threat to the Balkans might well make other nations than the Japanese take stock. The infiltration of German troops into Polish Galacia, the provinces that are the gateway to Rumania, is a mailer ol serious moment to the Balkan States. The Russians first obtained these provinces in September'when they held a diplomatic stranglehold over the Nazis; perhaps, now that the Soviet forces, are so embarrassed in Finland the pressure is from ! he other side and Germany has, consequently, sent her troops into country which is really in the bands of the Soviet —a movement which Rumania, in particular, is viewing with feelings of anxiety