In view of the great drop in raw, silk exports from Japan' to the United States as a result of the development of the rayon industry, Japan's trade balance with the United States is much in favour of the latter country. It is no secret that Japan is endeavouring to reduce her cotton impens from America. to off-set this adverse balance and that she will be only too willing to pur~ chase more raw cotton from Siam.
'The bulk of Japanese exports to Siam s made up of cotton goods, rubber goods and sundry articles. The Significant thing about this is' that Japan's exports have been incrossing at a phenomenal rate, Unlike other countries which have an unfavourable balance with Japan, moreover, Slam is not complaining. The reason is that Siam must have industrial products and prefers those which are cheap.
"Being an Independent country! Siam will not be influenced bythe desires of other countries at whose cost Japan's trade expansion into Siam has been made," Phra Raksha declares. "As long as Japan is able to supply better products" more cheaply we will buy from he This, of course, may be mere diplomacy. It is not at all unlikely that the powers that bein Siam Present who kicked out' pro-British King Prajadhipok, are playing up to Japan for reasons best known' themselves, How else can one explain the pres~ ence of the chief of staff of the Siamese army in Japan, the visit some months ago" of a. military mission composed of 15 army offers, the placing subsequently of orders for two warships, the visit last month of 8 group of naval officers and, finally. the friendship mission of a group of iso it should be remembered that Siam was. the only member of the League which did not vole against Japan at the Council meeting. which resulted in Japan's withdrawal from that body.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.