Evening star., 1934-02-01
JAPANESE WAR AIM
IS FLATLY DISPUTED.
Strife With America Inoon-
ceivabIe, Hayashi Declares
in First Interview
Continued From First Page.)

Washington from Toxic have failed to
make any impression on the admins
tration.
The pacific and well-meaning state
ment made today by the Japanese
minister of war. Senjuro Hayashi, who
declared that Japan does not harbor
any aggressive intentions toward Amer
lea, has made no more of an impression
than yesterdays aggressive speech of
the minister Of the navy, Mineo Osumi,
and that of the former secretary of
state. Kenkitchi Yoshizawa.
Speeches Followed Closely.
The speeches Of the japanese officials,
it was stated in responsible quarters
today, are followed with a good deal of
interest. but do not change the situa-
tion materially either for better or
worse.
The administration continues to fol-
low a policy of peaceful and friendly
relations with all nations. AS such, it
Is opposed to the idea Of rearmaments,
as solution of the limitation of arms
question and does not intend to EN-.
bark upon an armament race with any
nation.
This does not preclude the United
States getting prepared for any emer-
gency. A definite plan for an adequate
national defense has been prepared by
the administration and will be developed
Systematically. The friendly or hostile
statements and speeches of representa-
tives Of foreign governments will not
influence in any degree the building up
of the United States Navy. in accord
ance with the existing treaties, neither
will 1t deter the formation OF an ade-
quate army and air force for the pro-
lection Of American shores and inter.
national commerce.
Tensity Is Perceived.
1t Is fully realized in Government
quarters in Washington that the gen.
eral international situation is extremely
tense. 1t is because Of this tension that
the administration does not want to
neglect in any way the Nations de-
fenseS
The lesson learned in 1914. when
Americas imports Of essential raw ma
terials were at the mercy of the stronger
and better prepared nations. is too vivid
in the mind of the President and his
advisers to take another chance.
The possibility Of the United States
becoming entangled in an international
conflict is today more remote than it
was in 1914
For the time being there is but little
concern that this country will be in
volved in any international trouble But
Americas international interests, espe-
cially in foreign trade, have been con-
siderably increased.
In well informed quarters it is feared
that trouble may break out in Europe
before it breaks out in the Far East
1t is also believed that even a localized
conflict in Europe will have an i'm
portant repercussion in the Far East
since it is obvious that the military
clique which has been predominant in
Japan since 1881. still maintains its
sway over that country. Under these
circumstances it is probable that the
japanese will choose the line of least
resistance to consolidate their hold
over Asia.
British Are Concerned.
Great Britain has been worried over
the situation during these last few
months, because she is probably in a
less favorable position to defend her
interests in China than any other
country.
Her nervousness has been obvious re-
Gently. British statesmen have pointed
to the japanese intrigues in India and
only two weeks ago, Field Marshal Lord
Allenby discussed the question of
Britains' defenses in the Far East at
conference held off Singapore with the
heads of the British navy and army
in the Far East.
Furthermore, it is believed in well
informed quarters that the recent out
bursts of Mussolini against Japan were
to a certain extent inspired by British
statesmen, who are endeavoring, some
what late, to mobilize world public
opinion against any menace OF war in
the Far East
In well informed diplomatic quarters
in Washington it is believed that
Britain's recent proposal to grant Ger
many the right to rearm was the re.
suit of conversations with Mussolini and
was the price for the latter's attitude
against Japan.
British Hold Precarious.
The position of the British in the
Far East is more precarious today than
it has ever been before.
In case of trouble in Europe, Great
Britain must maintain the bulk of her
naval forces in the Atlantic and in the
Mediterranean in order to preserve her
communications with her colonies and
dominions. Public opinion in Great
Britain would never permit the weak
ening of that important link, for the
purpose of defending the British in
terests in the Far East.
In event of a new European war.
Hongkong and the other British pos
sessions in the Far East, as we'll as her
important trade on the Yangtze River
can be easily menaced by Japan. and
yet the powerful British navy will be
in no position to offer any real assist
ance to these possessions and to the
British trade.