The Waikato Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1940 OBSTACLE TO JAPAN’S PLANS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1940 OBSTACLE TO JAPAN’S PLANS

France’s reported determination to resist any Japanese aggression in Indo-China has introduced another complication to the Far Eastern situation which Japan probably did not expect. It must have appeared to the Japanese that on the collapse of metropolitan France the French colonial empire was ripe for the plucking. Japan accordingly took immediate action to cut off supplies to China from the French territory, and indeed gained some sort of oversight of the whole transport system of Indo-China. To outward appearances it seemed that Japanese infiltration would proceed without serious check. Therefore the announcement that any Japanese military moves will be met with stiff resistance must have surprised Japan. Indo-China may in the near future become the most tangible link in the “axis” arrangement among Germany, Italy and Japan, or it may be the rock upon which the axis will be broken. To be effective. French resistance which derives its power from metropolitan France must have the sanction of Germany, because France is now merely a vassal of Germany. If Germany gives that sanction Japan must consider herself rebuffed, and the axis will suffer accordingly. Tt. will all depend upon Germany’s attitude towards Japan’s policy of expansion. At the moment it appears that Germany has no objection to, but would rather encourage, Japanese expansion that would embarrass Hitler’s enemies. Therefore Germany’s influence on France may soon make itself apparent in the French reply to the Japanese advances. It is possible, of course, that Indo-China of its own volition will resist Japanese invasion, and that resistance would upset the Japanese plans. Without going to war with the French colony the Japanese have effectively stopped the traffic of arms through that territory to China. Active warfare might have the double disadvantage of spreading the length of the Japanese front and possibly reopening the arms supply to the Chinese. Until Japan has succeeded in subduing Chiang Kai-shek she is not anxious unnecessarily to add to the burden upon her fighting forces, although she would welcome the plums that might fall fortuitously into her lap and thus bring another step nearer the realisation of that great empire in the East which Japan alleges offers the only road to peace and prosperity. The French Government at Vichy, according to the Chinese Press, has informed Chiang Kai-shek that it is standing firm over IndoChina. Has that Government received any encouragement from Hitler ? It is not improbable. Germany does not necessarily agree that Japan should be the controller of the Eastern group of Powers which Japan thinks is a necessary part of the new world. Germany herself has for many years lacked a colonial possession in the East from which to spread Germanic influence. Since the defeat of France the opportunity to remedy that weakness has come into Hitler’s hands. The French overseas colonies are for the time being in a state of suspense, but Hitler expects to become master of the world, and then he would do as he wishes with Indo-China and the rest of the French territory. German Indo-China may be more attractive to Hitler than Japanese Indo-China—unless he feels the need for Japan’s assistance.