Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1940. JAPAN AND THE AXIS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1940, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1940. JAPAN AND THE AXIS.

VEUTRAL diplomats in Tokio, it was reported yesterday, are of opinion that the Tokio arrests of British subjects foie shadow dramatic Japanese action possibly the joining 1 Axis in the war against Britain. Japan, of couise, is a head} a member of the Axis, but she has been hitherto a non-be lligerent member. If she now proceeds to emulate m Asia and in the Pacific the tactics of her Axis partners m Europe, the only course open to Britain and to other lowers concerned mil be to take whatever defensive and other measures are °P eI J Ihe, ”in safeguarding then- interests. It must be hoped that before matters proceed to such an extreme, all Yemeni, ot moderation and good sense existing in Japan will make tl e selves heard, but prospects of peaceful accommodation cannot at the moment be called encouraging.

Japanese proceedings in Tokio and elsewhere which hat already involved the death of one British subject, Mr Co. , rather obviously are in the category of outrage and deliberate provocation. The position is believed to have been discussed bv the House of Commons at its latest secret session. \\ hat conclusions were reached of necessity remain undisclosed bu a London commentator, after referring to the statement by Lord Halifax which was reported yesterday, has said that: it is clear that the British Government not only takes a serious view of the Japanese situation, but is prepared to take a strong attitude towards Japan.”

That it is desirable to avoid, if possible, incurring new commitments in the Far East or elsewhere hardly needs to be stated. At the same time it is clear that the tentative measures of conciliation and concession adopted lately by Britain in dealing with the Burma Road question have failed completely to serve their intended purpose. As one of today’s messages suggests, Japan appears to be numbered with the States winch interpret a spirit of conciliation as a sign of weakness.

The grave situation that is developing as directly concerns the°United States as Britain. In Shanghai an attempt is being made by the Japanese to enforce by menaces the expulsion of certain members of the American community m that city It was reported yesterday that an American radio commentator Mr GJ D. Alcott, had advised the United States Consul-General (Mr R. Butrick) that a Russo-Japanese operative, Nathan Rabinovitch, had telephoned demanding that Mr Alcott cease his tri-weekly radio broadcasts.

It is understood (it was added) that the United States authorities are taking the threat seriously, since Mr Alcott is one of six prominent men whose deportation has been demanded by the Nanking Government.

The Nanking Government is a puppet administration entirely dominated and controlled by the Japanese. The American Consulate in Shanghai is reported to have warned the persons whose expulsion has been “ordered” by the Nanking Government to take precautions, because the Japanese police might seek to arrest them. The outcome however, must depend rather on what is done by the United States authorities than on any precautions taken by the threatened individuals.

The American Government evidently is called upon to determine how far it is prepared to go in upholding its thirdPower rights in China. Hitherto the United States has proclaimed its determination to maintain these rights. The circumstances of the moment suggest that the Japanese Government, has made up its mind to trample on all third-Power rights and wantonly to defy both Britain and the United States. Whether Japan would be able to maintain that attitude in face of a combined stand by Britain and the United States ( may be doubted. Japan is and is likely to be for an indefinite 1 time to come heavily involved in her undeclared wai on China, which is now in its fourth year, and in carrying on that war has incurred a tremendous and exhausting drain upon both her military and economic resources. She might not easily be prevented "from extending her aggression southward, into French Tndo-China and other areas, but whether she would gain any great advantage by doing so is open to question. . Japan lias considerable reserves of naval strength, but her ability to use them with damaging effect would depend upon the force brought against her. Here, again, much depends on whethei the Uniteci States is prepared to co-operate with Britain in withstanding Japanese aggression. Apart from any cpiestion of difficulties by which Britain and the British Empire may be confronted, it has to be considered whether the United States can afford to allow aggression to develop unchecked in an ocean in which its own interests and security are vitally at stake. THE LOCAL RED CROSS. 0F the competing calls that are being made at present on public generosity, those made for contributions to the Patriotic Funds naturally and necessarily take first place. 1 licit are other causes which have their own good claims to support, however, and amongst these certainly is numbered that of the Bed Cross Society in respect of its activities within the Dominion. On ils merits and because of the enterprise and enthusiasm with which it has been organised, the Paddy s Maiket which is to be held in Masterton tomorrow in aid of the funds of the local Bed Cross organisation promises to be highly successful. The appeal thus made is distinguished definitely and clearly from the raising ol patriotic hinds. Money is sought and is needed to finance the local activities of the Bed Cross. At all times the organisation is rendering an excellent and worthy community service in providing ambulance training and services and in other ways. It desires to be in a position also to render still more important service to the community in the event of any’ exceptional emergency or disaster. These are worthy and public-spirited aims anil no doubt the local JB’d Cross appeal will be given the liberal support to which it is well entitled.