One of the most gratifying statements which have recently been made by Japanese statesmen is that made by the Japanese Prime Minister, General Nobuyuki Abe, to the press on October 15. Moderate in its outlook, it indicates that he is facing the realities of the situation, and desires to bring about a better atmosphere than has existed in the Far East for a considerable time past, and while it may not be described as an advance towards those third party neutrals in the China conflict, whose relations with Japan as a result have not been of the happlest, it is clear that he leaves the door open for readjustments which should serve to do away with existing misunderstandings. Discussing various domestic and foreign problems with the Press, General Abe declared that the new regime in the occupied parts of China would have to be powerful so that it might be able to execute the new principles for the establishment of a new order in Asia, "but because such a Government is strong and is pro-Japanese, I do not think that it Should be anti-foreign." He went on to say that the new Government should seek to carry out its mission with complete impartiality, looking carefully into all situations. This declaration is all the more welcome because of what has been happening in Japanese-occupied China during the past few months, it represents a complete change from the policy which up to the present has been followed. It will be remembered that around the time of the commencement of the Tientsin incident strenuous endeavours were made to inspire an anti-British movement by Chinese organizations, which could have been restrained at any time the Japanese authorities desired. It grew to somewhat serious proportions, and at the breakdown of the Tokyo conference gave some cause for anxiety. The severe rebuff which the Japanese Government received in the German betrayal of the Anti-Comintern Pact brough about a modification of the agitation, which, however, did not die out completely. In recent weeks there have been some signs of recrudescence, without anything to suggest that it will attain the same proportions, or that the Japanese officials in China are as completely behind it as originally they were.
It is to' be hoped that the declaration of General Ake will have the effect of preventing its spread, and ultimately lead to its suppression, and that the wrongs which have been done to British interests,—and not only British,—will be speedily righted. If that is done nothing but good can possibly ensue, not only to the British and other third-party neutrals, but to Japan itself. There was a time when it looked as if Japan were about to go out into the wilderness by a closer adhesion to the Rome-Berlin Axis. The weakness of that elaboration has been clearly demonstrated by the defection of Herr Hitler and his submission to the Soviet, and while Japan had not progressed very far into the isolation which he planned, there was a possibility that it would do so. Fortunately Tokyo was not too deeply committed, and the Japanese Government now have it in their power to bring about better relationships with those nations which had viewed her former policies with more than a little concern. That fact is recognized by General Abe, who apparently fully understands that it does not require any very drastic change of policy to bring about a better state of affairs in the Far East than has hitherto existed. The suppression of anti-foreign movements in China would be the best augury for a general betterment of the situation, would remove at least one of the causes of present irritations, and would permit of further and friendlier negotiations between Japan and the neutral Powers for the better preservation of their rights and interests in this country. Taking a perfectly realistic view of the present situation, it is obvious that the relations between the Japanese and other foreigners in China must ultimately be based upon some sort of compromise unless matters are to deteriorate, and compromises can only be reached in a state of friendly understanding. That understanding, however, has to be mutual, and it cannot be that if the existence of anti-Foreign movements,—even if at the moment it is only anti-British—is permitted to continue.
The adoption of the views expressed by General Abe, and their execution by the Japanese officials in China can have nothing but a beneficial effect. Thus a real desire to come to some sort of settlement in the local outside roads question can only be achieved by the eradication of that xenophobia which is largely responsible for many misunderstandings. It was for that reason that the "North-China Daily News" suggested a few days ago that it would be a gracious thing to do for the Japanese authorities to take a hand in endeavouring to bring about an amicable settlement of the outside roads issue. It must be emphasized that they are in fact the bridge between the Chinese authorities they have set up, and the foreign communities. Their interest in the settlement of this thorny question is just as great as that of any other nationality concerned in the welfare of the International Settlement and the administration beyond its border. That welfare can only be assured by the restoration of friendly relations between the various administrations, and in bringing that about the Japanese can play a part which is logically theirs, and one in which they are the most likely to succeed. It would be an outstanding success for local Japanese diplomacy if it were to succeed in adjusting the various issues between the local Chinese administration and the foreign communities, and it should not prove too difficult for it to do so. On the other hand it would be as well for the Powers concerned to see that any such policy as General Abe adumbrates is met in the spirit which it demands. In an atmosphere of reciprocity it is more than probable that a lasting adjustment of various issues might be effected and the general conditions rendered more comfortable than they are at present for everybody concerned. For a consummation of such desires as these third-party neutrals look to Japan as the only agent by which it can be brought about. General Abe's declaration is consequently welcomed as a most important pronouncement, and the foreign communities in China will look forward to the achievement of such a policy as being the best for everyone all round.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.