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In order to dispose of the issue now raised between the two countries
it would be necessary for Japan to take a firm and determined attitude
if Britain should continue to aid China to an increasing extent and more
openly. Our diplomacy in the past has been shaped on the fundamental
principle of friendship with Britain. Our diplomacy toward Britain has not
only been friendly but has even degenerated to the point of subservience.
Britain was regarded as a name to conjure with. Japan has been shut out
from India, Australia and other British territories and denied her legitimate
rights and yet our diplomacy has been solicitous for British friendship.
This characteristic of Japanese diplomacy has necessarily given an im
pression of her easy-goingness. It has made Britain feel that Japan, whatever
her attitude might be in individual cases of dispute, would be certain to
bow to British willand Britain is still possessed of this idea. It is in some
measure because of this impression that she has shown little scruple in
aiding China. Britain has been thus active, despite her unenviable position
in military and international affairs, because she is used to Japanese diplomacy
which has always been weak-kneed in the past. If, therefore, the present
issue with Britain is to be disposed of, Japan should above all take a firm
and determined attitude. Japan should make no secret of her determination,
if necessary, to go to war. The sooner this resolve is made plain the better.
Because Britain's position in the Far East has seldom been more unfa
vourable than at presentIt is a matter of pressing importance that
Japanese diplomacy, foregoing its supine tone, should be strengthened
toward Britain who is now actually impeding the establishment of peace
in the Far East through her aid to China. The newspapers of Italy raised
a hue and cry and drove back the British fleet, when Britain tried to
oppose her Italian campaign in Ethiopia. Japanese diplomacy may be directed
with sufficient firmness and determination to force back the British fleet
to the west of Singapore.
(Uit „The Herald of Asia" van 1 December 1937).
D. AUSTRALIË'S DEFENSIE.
In the Sydney Morning Herald van December j.l. troffen wij eenige interes
sante artikelen betreffende Australië's defensie aan. Wij halen het volgende
aan
„If war should come."
To-day we publish the concluding article of a series on the defence of
Australia, written after special investigation of the local field. The design
is neither to exaggerate the perils of geographical isolation from friendly
help, nor to alarm the public about approach of war. If war came to Aus
tralia, it would be in the course of a world-wide war a war, that is,
in which the whole Empire would be involved and the consequences of
such a conflagration upon Western civilisation would be such that for
any nation to provoke it would be an act of desperation. No nation is
yet in so extreme a case. It is the part of statesmanship to avoid the col
lision, to smooth out obstacles in the course of reasonable discussion for
redress of grievances and animosities. But it is equally the part of states
manship to prepare for armed resistance in the worst event, and one part
of the complex task can no more be neglected than the other. As for
Australia's situation in the day when, if all efforts should fail, the worst
event must be faced, our isolation is not an unmixed evil, for it presents
1) Cursiveering van ons. Red.
