Mr. Winston Churchill's broadcast on Monday night was not' merely a piece of highly meritorious, descriptive reporting, but was a political speech of the greatest importance. That is particularly with regard to the re-Jations between Great Britain and the United States on the one hand and Japan on the ther. It amounted to a warning that any în Tokyo who think that it may be possible to drive a wedge between the two demo-crocies and negotiate an amicable settlement exclusively with the United States and thus isolate Great Britain are imagining vain things. Admiral Nomura, sent especially to the United States in order to attempt to improve relations between that country and his own, has been doing his utmost and has expressed the opinion that it is possible to achieve success.
Various reports are current as to a basis upon which the present tension can be removed and a better atmosphere created in this part of the world. For the moment those reports need to be accepted with very considerable reserve, but it may be taken for granted that in any settlement of outstanding problems in which the United States concurs there will be no departure from the principles which have dominated its policy since the commencement of the "China Incident" and the development of Japan's expansionist policy. That is and will continue to be the one big obstacle to a satisfactory settlement, and, unless the Japanese Government fully realize that fact, and adjust their policies accordingly, there must be little hope for an improvement in the present very unsatisfactory situation. Mr. Churchill stated that the United States was labouring with infinite patience to arrive at a fair and amicable settlement which would give Japan the utmost assurance for her legitimate interests, On the other hand it is desirable that Japan should understand that reciprocal guarantees will be required safeguarding the interests of Great Britain, the United States and other countries concerned with their various forms of investment in the Far East.
Nothing, surely, could be more reasonable than that, and it is likely that in Tokyo there are plenty of, people who realize the justice of such a contention. But the restoration of China's territorial integrity, the relinquishment of ill-gotten gains on the Asiatic continent are things which the extremists, who commenced the ball rolling four years ago, will undoubtedly find it remarkably difficult to swallow. But the pill will have to be taken if a lasting settlement is ever to be reached. Mr. Churchill gave a timely warning when. he stated that Japan as an aggressor in the Far East must come to terms immediately or face the full power of Great Britain and the United States. There has been a disposition in some Japanese quarters to regard the enormous patience which those two countries are displaying as a sign of weakness. The prospect, of extension of the European war th, this of the world is indeed a terrible one but it "Will not act as a deterrent to either of the democracies if Japan seeks to go beyond limits which she must know she is rapidly approaching.
The plain fact of the matter is that if the Japanese proceed with their southward expansion by the use of force and the grabbing of territories they will meet with resistance which will mean war. The very fact that the British and American Governments are doing their utmost to avoid such an occurtence must not be taken to mean that if Japan pushes on they might at the last moment change their stand. They will do nothing to provoke a struggle, but will defend their interests wherever Japan may threaten them. The responsibility for the future rests entirely upon the shoulders of the Japanese Government. It is indeed heavy, but those bearing it should remember that Great Britain and the United States have no reason whatever to fear the outcome should' Japan force them to go to extremes. The enormous resources, which they possess, their great strength and their determination that the rule of law shall be maintained leave no doubt as to what would be the result if a clash should come about. Japan has been warned in a manner which permits of no mistake and her leaders will be doing their country a grave disservice if they ignore it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.