The Waikato Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1940 INFLUENCES IN PACIFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1940 INFLUENCES IN PACIFIC

Japan s suspicions of the United States are indicated by the charges in a leading Tokio newspaper that the American newspapermen’s tour by air through Pacific countries is a “large-scale antiJapanese demonstration.” The suspicion is increased by the report that the United States has sent an oil industry representative to the Dutch East Indies in advance of a Japanese oil mission which is to visit the Indies and negotiate for supplies of oil. The Japanese Press accuses the United States of “making an effort to enlarge an economic blockade circle round Japan through the establishment between the United States and New Zealand of the regular air service, and by other means.” Japan apparently assumes that she has a prior right in the Pacific area, and that if the United States seeks a share of trade in that locality it has ulterior motives and is aiming at the suppression of Japan. The reasons are not difficult to discover. In the confines of its own councils Japan has built a vision of a new Far Eastern empire upon which no influence but Japan’s may obtrude. The Japanese mind is fixed upon that objective to such an extent that it has excluded other nations’ point of view. The sense of proprietory right is so deeply rooted that the intrusion of the United States or any other foreign Power comes as a shock to the Japanese mind and assumes the proportions of a predatory raid. That is what comes of building castles in the air. The other point of view is that the United States or Britain has just as much right to trade in the East Indies as Japan. It has every right to establish air services to New Zealand or any other country and so promote the friendly intercourse of free peoples. The difference is that one nation has acquisitive intentions while the other has not. Of course the United States desires to acquire trade, but that is, or should be, a right open to all honourable nations. Southward expansion, or expansion in any other direction as envisaged by Japan, is not a part of the American policy. The United States has no desire and no need for territorial acquisitions in the Pacific. On the contrary, it has gone so far as to offer complete independence to the Philippines, which occupy an important strategic position in the Pacific. Japan is sending a strong mission of 20 men to the Dutch East Indies to attempt to negotiate oil and other agreements. In this connection a Tokio newspaper says the delegation “will clarify to the Dutch and to the rest of the world the exact meaning, time, method and limit of Japan’s long-discussed southward policy.” Another paper declares that “Japan’s determination to enforce her southward policy is stronger than ever.” Clarification of Japan’s policy would be welcomed, for if, as is hoped, perfectly honourable methods of competition are intended an improvement in relations among Pacific peoples should be possible.