Evening star., 1938-10-30

close to the Suez Canal, whence they can
reach Singapore In about three weeks, Is
interpreted in naval quarters as indicating
that the admiralty is figuring on 4 Hona,
Kong surprise and will not be caught with
no lighting force in the Far East.
But even such feet would not be In a
position to face successfully q Japanese
aggression. Three British battleships
against 10 Japanese constitutes too heavy
odds even for the admirable British NAVY.
The British admiralty seeks no repetition
OF Tsushlma, which saw the complete anni-
hilation of the Russian feet by Admiral
Togo In 1905. If the empire were chal-
lenged by Japan it would have to transfer
the bulk Of the home fleet, now concentrated
in the North Atlantic on the coast Of
Scotland.
But as long as there Is danger of Europe
once more becoming seriously embroiled.
the British government is reluctant to de-
tach for service in the Pacific single heavy
unit from the home fleet 1t believes that
the security of the British Isles demands
the presence Of the feet in home waters.
One Of the determining factors which
compelled Premier Chamberlain to swallow
the Munich pact was the intellipence
brought to him that the Japanese grand
fleet was preparing to put to sea . few
days after the transports. carrying Sc, 900
troops to attack Canton, had left the home
ports. The transports fulfilled their mis-
sion. The grand fleet Is still riding at
anchor at its base. But, 80 far as is
known, the sealed orders have not vet been
withdrawn. Whether it will sail in the near
future depends more on what Hitler and
Mussolini decide than on what Toxic de-
sires.
Discussion Of Question.
1t is said in diplomatic quarters-though
tangible evidence is still lacking-that the
Far Eastern question was discussed in the
private conversations between Herr Hitler
and Neville Chamberlain following the sig
nature of the four-power pact That an
agreement for liquidation of all existing
problems between Great Britain and the
Reich had been reached in order to free
the hands of the British government in
Europe and to allow it to concentrate on
Asia. That the agreement announced
with pomposity that Britain and Germany
will never, never fight" again was some-
what shaken by the aggressive attitude Of
political enemies of Premier Chamberlain.
The "next-day reaction" in Britain brought
comment from Der Fuehrer that he is
not willing to make friends with any
democratic leader who cannot count on re-
naming In ONCE long enough to put into
effect everything agreed upon at Munich.
Therefore the alleged assurance from Hit
Ter that Japan would not be encouraged
to expand further than her actual national
interests might remain dead letter.
The German Chancellor is reported to
have told the British Premier that the
economic interests of the totalitarian states
are parallel in the Far East with those of
the democratic countries: that the eco
nomic menace from an over-industrialized
Japan with all the raw materials of China
at her disposal would affect German and
Italian welfare to the same degree 1t would
affect the democratic countries. In the
light OF previous statements made by re-
sponsible Nan spokesmen, this surmise of
what was discussed at Munich appears
correct. 1t is true, of course that an in
dustrially overgrown Japan would impair
German and Italian export business as
we'll as American and British. But, un.
fortunately, economic and financial con-
siderations are of secondary importance to
the dictators at this time. The political
element continues to play the foremost role.
And if Hitler and Mussolini desire, not a
settlement of the present problems by OBJ
tanning what they want, but fight to the
bitter end against the democracies, they
will encourage Japan to go the limit.
There will not be much delay in finding
the answer to the Oriental puzzle The
next few months-or even less-will tell the
tale
(Copyright 1887