Premier Konoye's broadcast speech was a public expose of Japanese aims in Asia, which have been well-known for the past ten years, an editorial in the induential "Lo Temps" claimed today.
Explaining and commenting upon the address, this newspaper voices surprise at the fact that it should be considered by the whole world as a sudden revelation of Japan's attitude. "At most, it can only be said that Premier Konoye waited for the fait accompli, the occupation of Hankow before playing his hand, the cards of which were known perfectly well since the Japanese Government proclaimed (on January 16) their determination never to deal with General Chiang ° Kai-shel the editorial! asserts, "it is therefore finally a question of substituting a real Japanese impperialism for the so-called occidental imperialism' that, Japan denounces with such vigour,"
'Lo Temps" proceeds to explain the formation of a "Great-Asia bloc," which excludes, {pso facto, the "Open Door" policy "The fact that Premier Konoye expressed gratitude for the aid and understanding' of Germany and, Italy, proves that Tokyo counts above all upon the present deep division between the western powers. However, it is not certain that this policy will easily be led to a successful end" conclusion, the news organ. states that the final determinining fac-for will be the attitude of the United States, which is at present the big question mark in the Far East—Havas.
Mandates Feared London, Nov. 5, Discussing what may be the outcome of the "obvious truth" that Japan intends eventually to annex Pacific islands administered by her under mandate, the "Manchester Guardian" urges that it is essential that this step, although it cannot be prevented, shall not be permitted to appear lawful.
If Japan is allowed to annex these islands without protest, the journal declares, the view of those who believe that the sovereignty of man= dated territories is vested in the Allied and Associated Powers will bbe greatly strengthened, and inter national lawyers may quote it as a precedent, On the other hand, the most authoritative view, which coincides very closely with the whole purpose of the. mandatory system, is that sovereignty is vested in the League of Nations, for which various mandataries hold territories on trust, The "Manchester Guardian" points out further that, certainly, mandatory Power can either annex or transfer its mandates without the full consent of the League Council, It is, therefore, imperative that the Council, at its' next meeting in January, "make some declaration on the Japanese decision to withdraw from non-political activities In the League of Nations, with which, as the "Manchester Guardian" shows, this question is bound up, Under the Versailles Treaty, Japan was appointed mandatory to three groups of PacifleTslands—the Marianne (or Ladrone), the Caro~ line and the Marshall Islands Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.