1940-10-08 — Page 23

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 8, 1940.

CHINA MAIL

-WINDSOR HOUSE.

JAPAN AND U.S.A.

The outstanding and uncom- promising statement made by Col. Knox, the Republican Secretary of Navy in Mr. Roosevelt's Cabinet puts the immediate issue quite clearly before the Japanese peo- ple. Each nation has now warn- ed the other. Matsuoka in an in- terview, which conveyed the view of the Japanese Government at the moment, stated that war with the United States was inevitable if the latter insisted upon the status quo and did not recognise Japan's claim to dominate the Far East. The foreign minister dis- claimed responsibility for the statement which was made to a representative of "Liberty" and conveyed through the Interna- tional News Service to the public apparently before it had been inilialed by the foreign minister.

The secret clauses in the new pact offer Japan the Netherlands East Indies if she will declare war against Britain, and promises arc made to bring about an under- standing with China favourable to Japan and also with Russia

on

equal terms. 'These generous gifts will cost Germany nothing, seeing that the chief one is not hers to make but they will cost Japan a good deal.

Germany must have assistancē. at all costs and is making the wildest promises because of the incontestable and irrefutable fact that her prestige has suffered its first serious blow since the war began by the failure to make good Hitler's boast about the invasion of Britain, Russia is being wooed. Spain is being urged to throw in her lot, but only. Japan has yield- ed to this urgent call for help. Japan has much to gain if she can make good her claim by her naval power, but still more to lose if she fails in her ambitious role.

Industrially the full weight of the United States is already on the side of Britain though it has not yet reached its maximum out- put. It is because America is in the throes of a presidential elec- tion, and because the full measure of her rearmament will not be felt for some time that the Axis pow- ers think that the present moment is most opportune for challenging the. United States.

Japan has linked her fortunes with Germany and Italy, and as the future of the Pacific is depen- dent on the issue in Europe, it is obvious that Japan must do all in her power to help the Axis to victory. Her statesmen have said that a German victory is essential to Japan's continued existence as a power in the Far East. If Ger- many fails them Japan's retreat from the positions she has taken up will be more rapid, than her advance. Unfortunately for Japan a victory for the British Empire in the European struggle is equal- ly necessary for the preservation of the American. way of life;