Evening star., 1938-03-13
Britain's Secret Filtration
With Japan Disturbing to US.
Parallelism of Interest Between English.Speaking
Nations Weakened Also by Londons Attitude
Toward Germany and Italy.

Leon Blum, through DR.. Schacht, that
Germany be given the portion of Africa
extending from Liberia to the Congo in
lieu Of the colonies which had been taken
from the Reich by the treaty of Versailles.
This proposal was favored by the former
French Premier and forwarded to London,
where 1t received no comment Later Eden
offered the Reich, through a neutral be-
lieved to be Paul Won iceland, the Caro-
line, Marshal and the other inundated
islands given to Japan after the World War.
This was rejected by Der Fuehrer, as an
attempt at diplomatic humor which he
could not appreciate
Demand From Berlin.
Today the British cabinet is confronted
with definite demand from Berlin that
the colonial problem be solved at an early
date, either by the return of the old colonies
or by the offer of others without the inter-
ference of the League of Nations The Ger
man government, Chamberlain was told,
will not even discuss the colonial question
under the auspices Of Geneva Their new
colonial empire must not be loaned to
them; the colonies must be part and parcel
OF the Reich like any other province within
Germany proper. As soon as the British
government has reached decision on this
matter the German government will discuss
the modalities for a new four-power pact
and possibly the question which is SO dear
to President Roosevelt-another Limitations
of-arms conference.
The colonial problem is more complicated
than 1t was two years ago. The Nazi-
Fascist inf1ltration in South America has
rendered the administration in Washington
somewhat chary of having Germany close
to that continent. Two years ago any sug-
gestion that Germany or Italy might have
aims in South America conflicting with
the principles Of the Monroe Doctrine
would have been pooh -poohed by the State
Department.. Today, it is an active possi-
bllity which figures in plans for our ma
tional defense. According to the treaty of
Versailles. the United States must be con-
suited IN any change of the status of the
mandates, and London feels that the WASH
ington administration might avail itself of
that prerogative. Though the American
government for several years has been
urging Great Britain and France to settle
the colonial question, it is doubtful whether
President Roosevelt today would welcome
Germany in the vicinity of Brazil.
That the British government is ready to
recognize Franco when he disposes of the
opposition Of the Loyalist forces Is a fore.
gone conclusion. But what italy desires
Is recognition of Franco under Italy,s tute-
lage. Mussolini wants to maintain his dom.
inant position not only on the Spanish
mainland but also in the Balearic Islands
whence he can control Frances commune
cations with North Africa. His reported
willingness to withdraw Italian forces from
Spain Is taken in London at its face value
the black shirts will be withdrawn when
Frances victory is no longer in doubt, and
not earlier The British proposal that At
an eventual limitation of arms conference
the new Italian fortifications in the Dode-
canese Islands and at Panteleria should be
dlsmantled has been coolly received in
Rome.
Rumors on Toxic Talks.
These discussions are followed with keen
interest IN Washington, but it is the conf
Dental conversations between London and
Toxic which are the subject of serious con-
cern. Well-informed circles believe that
the British are not so communicative re-
gardlng those pourparlers. The British
government denies that any actual talks
have been started with Toxic, but the jap
anese decision not to attack Canton. which
would render the Hong Kong naval base
useless, seems to point to the Vaccinations
OF the City's agents Whether unofficial
suggestions have been made that the paw
ment Of revenue from the Shanghai and
Tientsin customs to British bondholders
and abandonment Of the plan to conquer
Southern China may lead to British recog-
milton of the japanese conquest of the
Asiatic mainland is not definitely known
It Is a fact, however, that plans of the
Japanese high command to begin OPERA
tions against Canton in February have
been abandoned altogether Air raids have
become sporadic and the troopships which
were ready to proceed to Canton have been
ordered to their home bases.
Whether this is the result of the Citvs
negotiations or Of Hitler's suggestions Tn
T"k'o to hold OF until the British def.
n'tely show their hand, nobody knows. But
IN either case, Washington feels that our
parallelism of interest with London has
suffered serious setback.
tCopyright, 1881