While there is still some confusion regard-Ing the extent to which the economic sanctions directed against Japan by i inst Japan by "Great
information in Japan to believe t Rer Depanesc Government demand such a rigidly appli
corrective. The present desire of the three countries which have taken action against Sapan is not to do anything which would make the Japanese Government more desperate than it is at present, and even at this late hour there is every opportunity for Tokyo to reconsider its policy of expansion which can only lead to a collision, drop its adherence to the Axis from which it can expect no profit and seek to reorient its aims toward a better understanding with the world's two greatest sea powers which is more in keeping with Japan's maritime and naval position, Mr. Roosevelt is proceeding cautiously. In that he is being supported by Great Britain and the Netherlands East Indies. There is no desire to push Japan over the precipice towards which she is being urged by the irrational ambitions of the Japanese military extremists. But this must not be taken as a sign of weakness, There is no parallel between the abortive application of sanctions against Italy over Abyssinia and what the three democracies are capable of doing in the Far East. Sanctions against Italy failed because of conflicting interests. There is here no such conflict. Rather is there a determination to take common action in defence of common interests and there is not one factor in the present situation which is at all comparable with the case of those unfortunate sanctions against Italy.
What is apparently contemplated by the three democracies is the increasing application of sanctions as the actions of Japan call for such a process. That this may lead to war is fully recognized in London, Washington and Batavia. That is a contingency which is being faced fairly and squarely in the three capitals mentioned. It will not deter the governments concerned from proceeding to the last hour of act. The intention behind the present procedure is to give the Japanese Government the fullest possible opportunity to consider the.consequences of any further aggression in the Far Fast, and io give it every chance to mend its ways. But, if it will not, if it insists upon pursuing its present rash courses, it and it alone will be responsible for whatever results. It is reported that Japan is shortly to commence applying pressure to Thailand to adhere to the ce-prosperity sphere which Japan. seeks to create. Aggression against the country in order to coerce it will call for further action by the democracies.
That would mean a step nearer war, for, if Thailand decided to maintain her integrity and neutrality if necessary by the force of arms, there can be no doubt that assistance would be afforded her, and that not only by an increased pressure through the extension of sanctions. The extremists in Japan must not believe that because the velvet glove of the democracies is at present so apparent that it does not cover a mailed fist. Tt does, and a very powerful fist at that, and it is to be hoped that it will never be called into use. But there are limits beyond which Japan cannot go without invoking resistance, and stern resistance at that with every prospect of its being successful. There are people in Japan who fully realize that. Unfortunately they are not in power at present, and have the job of watching their country being hustled to perdition by a clique which knows little of the world outside its own country, and has a completely overweening and incorrect idea of its strength as composed, with that which she may have to meet.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.