JAPAN’S FEARS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20821, 3 June 1939, Page 6

JAPAN’S FEARS

Japan’s reaction to the Russian reply to Britain is interesting and throws a revealing light on Japan's attitude to the “axis” alliance. Japan fears that if Russia joins Britain and France in the “peace front,” Russia, feeling that her western frontiers will be secure, may adopt a more aggressive policy in the Far East. On the other hand, if Russia should ally herself with Germany, Japan fears the Soviet might exchange a “free hand” in the Far East for a similar privilege for Germany in Europe. Fear of the latter contingency has been raised by the suggestion that Russia may shortly resume trade negotiations with Germany.

According to Japanese opinion, Russia is placed in a remarkably favourable position to bargain for the most favourable terms, assuming that Germany desires some arrangement with the Soviet. Japan's conception of the aims of the several Powers is scarcely complimentary, but there may be a modicum of truth in the suggestions, and reasons for the fears. Russia at the moment exerts a very strong influence on international affairs, and until she has declared her decision there is bound to be considerable nervousness , in hjurope. However the situation is viewed, it is difficult ter believe, in the face of Russia’s insistent declarations of policy, that she will choose alliance of any kind with Germany in preference to a satisfactory arrangement with Britain and France. She has declared her absolute opposition to aggression against other Powers, and if she remains firmly by that resolution she will be averse to joining Germany. There is, in fact, very little standing in the way of an agreement with the democratic Powers, and it w;ll be surprising if the nations which object to a policy of aggression do not find themselves united in the near future in an effort to check any further unprovoked attacks in Europe or elsewhere. Therefore Japan seems likely to have her fears confirmed one way or another. Like Germany, however, Japan has no real cause for apprehension so long as her conscience is clear on the score of aggression. In this regard the campaign aimed at the combination of peaceable nations should have a tonic effect on international relations and tend to give back to diplomatic contact the sincerity and honesty that it should possess.