1941-03-07 — Page 23

THE CHINA MÀIL, MARCH 7, 1941.

CHINA MAIL

"WINDSOR HOUSE

THAILAND'S ASPIRATIONS

The history of French relations with Thailand over the period of the last century provides suf- ficient evidence of succes- sive French encroach- ments of an imperialistic) nature to justify Bang- kok's enthusiastic wel- come of Japan's 'media- tion' proposals as requir-

ing nothing of France

which is nct Thailand's. just due.

Were this the sole issue involved, indeed, a dis- pute between two coun- tries with an arbitrator's award resisted by one of the two parties, there would be little disposition to show any more pati- ence with France than is at present being exhibited by Japan.

The whole of the cir- cumstances connect- ed with the episode, how- ever, suggest very strong- ly that Japan's has been the guiding hand from the beginning, and that, wittingly or unwittingly. Thailand has permitted herself to be exploited as a tool in a bigger and more dangerous game. The protracted negotia-! tions in Tokyo, for this,

THE BALKAN CHESSBOARD

REECE

HITLER: "YOU DIDN'T KEEP THAT PIECE COVERED, DID YOU, JOE?”

Let's

Nice

Have

Some

Fresh

Air

was no heat- ing in the carriages. The day was icy, and an east wind was