Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1940. JAPAN'S FADING HPOES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1940, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1940. JAPAN'S FADING HPOES.

ALTHOUGH Japan has had her way for the time being in French Indo-China, more than a hint lias appeared ol: late that her Government is by no means so confident as it was only a month or two ago of its ability to pursue a policy of predatory aggression in the Pacific. It has been said, and there is no reason to doubt it. that the men now ruling .Japan were so impressed by the measure of early success gained by Nazi Germany in Europe that they took it for granted that Hitler would be able to carry out his announced programme and invade and subjugate Britain by August 15 last. Anticipating also the end of the British Navy, the .Japanese militarists assumed that, with Hitler triumphant in Europe, the United States would be compelled to transfer tile greater part of its fleet from the Pacific to the Atlantic and that the way would be opened to extended Japanese conquests. Actual war developments have shattered these Japanese .hopes. It is now plain to all the world that Nazi Germany has suffered a heavy* defeat in the total failure thus far of its plans to invade Britain. The possibility* that an invasion may yet be attempted has not passed, but preparations thus far made by the enemy to that end have been smashed most effectively by the Royal Air Force, with some assistance from the Navy, and if the venture finally is launched, the invaders will have to reckon not only with Britain’s Air Force and Navy, but also witli land forces admirably ready and prepared. In this respect and. others, the situation must be exceedingly* discouraging to the warmongers in Japan who hoped that an era of what they* have called golden opportunity* had opened for their country. With her hopes undermined in Europe, Japan faces a positive and commanding check in the development of AngloAmerican defence co-operation—a policy that has found practical expression thus far in the co-ordination of United States and Canadian defences and in the naval and air base deal which has provided, incidentally, for the transfer of fifty American destroyers to Britain. For reasons that are excellent and obvious, remarkably little has been said in Japan about, these developments. It became apparent, Mr Volney D. Hurd wrote recently* in the “Christian Science Monitor,” that with such unity between the English-speaking nations, no new American bases need be built in the Pacific. The great British naval base at Singapore (he added) need only become a jointly operated base for both navies and Japan's hands - would be tied once and for all in the South Pacific. That is why this destroyer-naval base deal has been received in silence in Japan. Hitherto Japan has found the Nazi drive a help. But now its disadvantages begin to appear. Only Hitler’s aggression would have brought about this speedy and far-reaching co-operation between the British and Americans.' Only Hitler’s challenge could have set up a British naval building programme which promises to make the British fleet even in the Pacific become steadily bigger. Only the Hitler threat could have made the United States authorise a two-ocean navy programme which, if carried out will make it the greatest naval Power in the world. In view of the steady increase in the size of the British Navy, Japan must be a poor third, either in building or fighting. So Japan today can, thank Hitler, not for helping it to win an empire in the East, but for so stirring up its own two chief opponents that Japan apparently faces the end of its dreams of a great Japanese Empire. This estimate of the situation and outlook does not appear to be at all extravagant. The British Empire and the United States have made a good beginning in a policy* of defence co-operation,' with the primary* aim, so far as the Pacific is concerned, of preventing an extension of the war to the Far East, but making adequate provision also for united resistance to aggression should it be attempted. There is full significance for Japan in observations by* the United States Secretary to the Navy* (Colonel Knox) which were reported yesterday. Colonel Knox declared that the United States Navy* was prepared to defend any* territory* under the American flag and had a moral obligation also to help the South American countries to rearm. lie said further: —

The United States needs more Pacific bases and we will have them. How far flung these Pacific bases must be is a question which awaits the outcome of events now in the making. What the outcome of these events is to be it is largely for Japan to determine. In his latest speech, President Roosevelt has declared his supreme desire to preserve peace where it still exists. In that, great matter the British Empire and the United States are of one mind. It stands out clearly, however, that in attempting to continue and extend a policy* of aggression in the Pacific, Japan would set herself in opposition to a mighty* union of force—economic as well as military*—she could not hope to withstand.

There is no confirmation at present of a report from Shanghai that .the Japanese Government has informed the British Ambassador (Sir Robert Craigie) that the Tripartite Paet has a secret escape danse permitting each signatory to decide the conditions under which it will go to the aid of the others, and is attempting to convince the Ambassador that further British efforts to come to an agreement with Japan would not be useless. Japan, most certainly would consult her own interests, however, by endeavouring to arrive at a peaceful agreement with both the English-speaking nations—an agreement which of necessity would imply her abandonment of the policy of predatory aggression to which she is at present committed.