London, Apr. 4.
The "Times" draws a disturbing conclusion from a passage in Japan's new naval policy in which it is stated that every precaution must be taken by extending con-noxious with neighbouring regions to assure supplies. It thinks that this indicates an intention of developing her economic relations with China, perhaps for exploiting her, in order to compensate for the restrictions imposed by the Washington Conference on the naval expansion of all the Conference participants. The newspaper considers that increased Japanese pressure upn China would be a negation of the whole spirit of the Washington agreements.—Reuter.
Necessity for Strict Adherence to Washington Terms London, Apr. 5.
The imes'' discusses British interests in the Far East in a tone! strikingly sympathetic towards China and somewhat critical of Japan's apparent attitude towards the latter. It emphasizes the necessity of Great Britain closely watching that the Washington Conference decisions are not rendered nugatory.
While fully recognizing Japan's achievements in face of peculiar difficulties, the paper draws attention to the Japanese policy in China which, owing to internal troubles, it declares, is at present rendered largely defenceless in regard to the outside world. A tribute is paid to China's extraordinary tenacity and cohesion, even in this time of acute political distress.
The '"'Times'' expresses confidence that there is in the Chinese people a force superior to such feverish ambitions as indicated by the Japanese attempts to obtain a position of overweening importance, thereby retarding a solution of the Chinese crisis and preventing the development of China's spiritual and material resources; for the benefit of all.
The paper regrets the disquieting tendency in the latest Japanese naval decisions and declares that the news of the complete execution of the Shantung Agreement would} have a reassuring effect.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.