To the Editor of the "Nortu-Cutna Dairy NEWS"
Sm—It must be a source of great anxiety and regret to many Japanese on viewing the steady deterioration in Anglo-Japanese relations. Japanese living in Japan and under a controlled press were most likely told that the successive diplomatic capitulations of Britain are a weakening of her position in the Far East, and that she is easing her conscience by acceding to the righteous demands of Japan; but Japanese living outside of Japan and with access to more truthful information will know that Bri-lain is only doing her utmost to better relations with Japan by appleasing her military clique. This British policy has, up to now, borne no results worth mentioning. With each successive bite, the Japanese military's appetite has increased, therefore, when the end of Britain's goodwill and effort has been reached, a halt to appeasement must be made.
Japan is a comparatively new world power and much credit must be given the military of that country for bringing this about, She has defeated both China and Russia and has never known defeat herself. This does not mean that she is invincible, espe ly in modern warfare where mechanical superiority is a deciding factor. It would be wel for the Japanese to heed the words of General Otani, their former War Minister. In one of his lectures to the Infantry Schools in Tokyo, he had warned Japan to guard against overrating their own abilities for fear of reaction setting in if ever they find themselves against an enemy stronger than themselves. Finally, he ended by telling them outright he considered that the best thing that could happen to Japan would be for her to be defeated in battle, not badly, but just sufficiently to bring her to her senses.
Let us assume the worst, and concede that the Japanese military is convinced that for the good of Japan, Britain must be crushed, and war develops. Britain would obviously assist China with arms, and supply her with officers to direct the huge Chinese Army which will then increase Japanese difficulties tenfold. Japan may attack Britain at both Hongkong and Singapore, she may even capture Hongkong, but certainly she will not be able to influence Britain's war in Europe, much beyond the "nuisance value" point, Moreover, Japan has to contend with the United States, who up to now has shown much sympathy towards Britain, and there is every likelihood she may be forced to assist Britain in a war in which Japan is involved.
German agents have been doing their best to embroil Britain with Japan, obviously for their own ends. Should they succeed, the benefits to Japan will be exceedingly dubious. As previously pointed out, she may have to contend with the forces of both Britain and the United States, and if she is busily occupied, Germany may appease Mr, Stalin further, by tempting him to occupy both Manchoukuo and Korea, and an opportunist like Mr. Stalin will not hesitate to accept. The only party that would benefit from a war between Japan and Britain will be Germany, but yet we see the pro-Axis party of Japan gaining the upper hand gra-and this in spite of Adolph Hitler's recent speech in which he offered to protect the British Empire from the "yellow peril" in exchange for peace with Britain. Any clear thinking Japanese will see in Adolph Hitlers speech the "yellow peril" io mean no other nation but Japan. and yet the military clique in Japan see fit to lead their nation into an abyss of national eclipse which may require decades before they can emerge.
In the past Japan has risen to a great power because she had statesmen and soldiers who were not afraid to speak the truth, and act in the true spirit of Japanese "Bushido." They were honourable and honoured men la Japan, when they made a mistake they accepted responsibility and rectified it. Today we see in Japan a military clique that has made a coloss al blunder in starting the "China Incident," and instead of admitting
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.