DESIRE FOR REALISM

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 4

DESIRE FOR REALISM

Mr R. G. Menzies, Australian Prime Minister, in his latest speech in London has endeavoured to import a little realism into the discussions between Japan and the British Empire—a realism that has notably been lacking in the Japanese propaganda. “ People in Japan,” said Mr Menzies, “ are asking why Australia has sent a large force to Singapore to participate in making safe that key position of Britisn power in the East. My answer is that the commonest precaution of the ordinary man is to lock the door and ensure against loss.” As far as the British Empire is concerned, that is the bald truth. Britain has no expansionist policy at the expense of other Pacific countries. She has simply locked the door against marauding robbers. If any nation forces a conflict by battering at that locked door, that nation declares its own aggression. The plain statement has the additional merit that it throws upon Japan the onus of proving that her intentions are not aggressive. If Japan can make a statement equally plain and purposeful, and if she can back that statement by proof of its truthfulness, then the strained relations in the Pacific could be composed immediately. Has Britain given Japan reason to fear aggression ? In reality she has not, but the position must be approached from the Japanese angle as well, and the benefits of the removal of suspicion would be worth any amount of effort. Mr Menzies realises the need for an understanding. “ Nothing disturbs me more,” he said, “ than to encounter that type of mind which appears to assume that because we Australians and other British people are engaged in a deadly war, and a war which will not terminate except with victory, we should at the same time, because Japan has made an agreement of some kind with the Axis, permit ourselves willy-nilly to drift into an atmosphere with regard to Japan which is dubious and dangerous.” The danger is that a false atmosphere should be created—or vitiated. There is already either rank misunderstanding or insincerity somewhere in the relations between the Empire and Japan. Britain’s attitude is beyond doubt and a realistic attitude on Japan’s part would be welcomed.