Sept. 17.
'The sober warning, which Mx. Alfred Duft~ "Cooper, representative of the' British War Cabinet inthe Par ast, gave to Japan in his Brondeast to. the United Kingdom, con~ cerning his first impressions of the Far East, needs to be read in conjunction with the comment. from Washington relative to the exploratory talks which are proceeding between the United: States and Japan, Mr. Dufl-Cooper emphasized the complete isola tion of Japan and the possible. combination against her of a. formidable xray of the fountrles supporting the Allied cause. In Going 20 he has only repeated arguments which have appeared in these columns show= Ing how completely Japan stands alone, and how much better "her position. would. have been, had her Government followed the: wiser counsels of the moderate elements in Japan "rather "than. the - German-inspired military extremists." The Allies it 19 pointed Out are now in an enrively different position than they were a year ago. "Then they were inva doubtful position, Russia being connected with the Axis, and the United States not yet 30 firmly aligned with the cause of liberty and justice, last "twelve months and there can be no 'A arear change has taken place during the doubt of the result if the great nations which are now united should be forced to take up any challenge. 'The application of sanctions by' Britain And the United States, supported the Netherlands East Indies should be clear' enough indication to "Tokyo that the democracies mean business, that' the limits
and that the further infringement of thelt patience, have, been, Jusl about reached, Fights and interests in the Far East will not be tolerated, Tt speaks well for the Prince Konoye's administration that. this fact has fat last been recognized, and that efforts are how being made. to bring. about a" better Understanding with the United States, and through that country with the others who have made common cause in the defence of their rights, Comment in Washington, where some surprise 1s expressed at reports from the Far ast of an. impending "and comprehensive aureement "between "America and. Japan, indicates that the U.S. Government will no anger be satisfied with promises of action oF inaction if Tater they' are to be. unfulfilled Because of some alleyed change in Japanese domestic policy, or some new Japanese Army veealcitrance. if Japan expresses willing~ hess fo take certain steps they must be steps which are irretraceable, That it is reported has been made quite clear to the. Japanese Government. Fair words will no longer Butter" parsnips, and it is "apparent " that Washington is. determined to" maintain the attitude it has consistently adopted, and that. {if the present truce is to be' changed into something more satisfactory Japan, will be expected to. falco such action as will fully convince the United States that she has: Indeed undergone a change of heart, and 1s willing. {0 adopt such a policy, as will, make for the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Obviously, continued Japanese adherence to the Axis cannot prove a satisfactory basis from which to proceed in-an endeavour to remove the existing tension. It may" with safely be said that so long as the German Influence, which permeates every department'of the Japanese Government and all strata "of economic, social and political life the country, remains it is impossible. to arrive at any settlement of outstanding problems;—and" they are' so. many,—whien Gould Be accepted with any confidence as to its. permanence. Japanese friendship with Germany is unnatural, dictated by no, common interests but.xather by Japanese ievitaion that the Allies do. not see eye to with them in "Japan's Asiatic policy.
'Altes, will most Probably' make no Import~ ant changes in. the policy Which they have all along "followed. "They are too deeply committed to do so, and if for the present relations between them and Japan remain tu 4 state of suspense, with Japan playing for time, at least a. worsening of conditions will have been avoided and wat, at any rate for the time being, averted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.