The reaction of the Japanese people to the new crisis which has developed in the Far East since the signing of the tri-partite pact between Tokyo, Berlin. and Rome, should go a long way towards quietening alarm caused in local cir= cles by the advice given by the American Government for the evacuation of those who are not immediately necessary to the carrying on of trade, The Japanese people, according to a special despatch today from the "North-China Daily News" correspondent in Japan, seem to have been genuinely surprised by the reaction to the statements of their high officials. Some of these statements appear, it 1s (rue, fo have been distorted beyond all measure, and Mr. Matsuoka, the Japanese Foreign Minister, in particular seems to have been made the victim "yellow" journalism, Nevertheless, the satements of the Prime Minister, and those subsequently acknowledged by Mr. Matsuoka, were suMlcfent in themselves to justify. a certain amount of precautionary action on the part of other countries which deemed themselves threatened. Public opinion in Japan, unlike that of the other two signatories fo the tripartite alliance, is not quite dead. Tt stil nds means of expression, at can be noted in the criticism of the Prime Minister's attitude to-
Dritains fame Guard Along the" Highways Conditions in Rumania The possibility of a break in Anglo-Rumanian relations Is something which has had to be Feckoned with ever since Rumania wae drawn within the orbit of the Axis, and the infiltration of German troops, ostensibly for the purpose of training the Humanian army in the German art war. but really for swearing central of the represented his communism. It should not be forgotten that, ultimately, it will be the people of Japan, not a clique of extremists, who will be involved war, if war breaks out. And it would appear, judging from Mr. Perey Whiteing's latest cable, that the people of Japan can see no need for war either against the United States or a combination of the United States and Britain. They may, of cot th. The responsibility for any such stampede must rest upon their own extremists and these citizens of Axis Powers whom they have ill-advisedly allowed to take prominent parts in their councils, Tu the pro-sent uncertainty, statements by oMelals of the American and British Governments, reported by responsible sources, can be taken at their wee value, They should not be mistaken for appeasement" if they sound mild, for the fact fs that there iv nothing outstanding between the western Powers and Japan which cannot bbe. settled by negotiation—provided the Japan ese are prepared to negotiate. And that is, of course, crucial proviso, New Evacuation Scheme The announcement of a new evacuation scheme for London, by Mr. Malcolm. Mac-Donald, Minister of Health, culls attention to the fact that the one carried outen the commence: ment of war failed, because of the number of people who trickled back to their "homes, when it was found that the Germans were de: laying their air action against Great Britain, Tt tobe hoped that the new scheme will' be Fendered more effective by: the importation of some degree of compulsion, and that especially children will be obliged to' go into the country where they will be considerably safer than they are a¥ present in London, untos, of course, as may be quite likely, the Germans care to hunt these small refugees' out in their temporary. country homes. The indiscriminate. bombing of London has been responsible for a considerable number casualties, though fortunately enough not great os it way originally feared. That in itself Pays ample tribute to the preparations. made Against alr-raids, though there are reports that even more shelters will be necessary before the winter comes. Happily their construction pr sents no insuperable problem, and though Lon doners may be driven underground and forced 10 live like troglodytes they will continue to with inconvenience with the same cheery hardihood with which they have stood up until Pow under the blows of the enemy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.