PACIFIC DIPLOMACY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1941, Page 4

PACIFIC DIPLOMACY.

>£UCII interest is being, taken in the current diplomatic discussions between the United States and .Japan—discussions Avhich Avere opened up by a personal message from the Japanese Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) to President Roosevelt. It is apparent, liOAvever, that the significance of these discussions, in their bearing on the tense and troubled situation that exists in the Pacific, is limited. With the discussions in progress, it is still being asserted, that Japanese policy will continue to be based on the Three-PoAver Pact and on a determination to settle “the China incident.”

Fully in keeping as they are Avith repeated statements by Japanese Ministers and other official spokesmen, these assertions evidently make it impossible that Japan should reach agreement Avith the United States, Britain and other democracies. An element of doubt perhaps exists as to the exlent to Avhich Japan is prepared to iclentify her policy with that of the European Axis Powers, but the present Government of Japan, like its predecessors, has proclaimed its determination io settle the “China incident” on its own terms —that is to say by compelling China to submit to domination,’ plunder and exploitation.

Some fears have been expressed recently in Chungking and in Batavia that a settlement might be reached with Japan which would be prejudicial to China and the Netherlands Indies. A Chinese representative even spoke of a possible betrayal 01. his country. AVhile the eight-point declaration made joint!} bv President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill stands as an outline of the policy of the English-speaking democracies, there surely can be no ground for such fears. It is flatly inconsistent with the eight-point declaration that the nations in whose name it was made should condone any act of aggression or negotiate with any aggressor nation on the basis of allowing it to retain in whole or part the fruits of its aggression.

Tt. may. be doubted, in the circumstances, whether the present Japanese-American discussions are likely to yield results of any great value. Japan may be seeking a way ol escape from Axis entanglements she now finds embarrassing, but the achievement of true understanding and agreement, in the Pacific must depend, amongst other things, on a settlement of the “China incident” on terms very different from those envisaged by the present Japanese Government and its predecessors.