Evening star., 1939-05-21

throughout Europe. And many a man
in Wall Street had the same thought
1t is for this reason that we had from
London the quieting assurances at times
when the situation looked the 3lackest
Don't worry, there will be no war in
Europe
But when these financial powers real
! ized that Hitler intended to establish
United States of Germany with non-
| German countries included in the
scheme and without the assistance of the
City's finance, the tune was changed IN
London and in Paris. The red letter
day was March Is, when Hitler entered
Czecho-Slovakia, making the remains of
the formerly independent republic
| German province.
See Writing on Wall.
No British statesman bled because
Czecho-Slovakia disappeared from the
map of Europe. But the brutal annex
stlon of that Slav country made them
see the writing on the wall: Ger
many, if not prevented from further
| penetrating into Eastern Europe, viii
actually rule the whole of Europe eco
nomically. Britain and France will de-
pend on the Reich's good will for trade
| in Europe. And when, to complete his
plans, Hitler turned to Poland after
| MuSsollni obtained meatless bone
| tAlbanla), the British decided they must
make desperate effort to maintain
their economic and financial position
on the Continent.
These Well-founded fears were du,y
reported to Washington where the Sit
| uation is being considered under its
| economic aspects. Our foreign trade is
not paramount requisite of our well
being, but it represents an important
item with strong possibilities for future
development. The administration be-
heves in equality of opportunities in
the foreign markets and the ascendance
| OF Germany-or the aXis-is considered
Likely to deprive this country of these
| equal opportunities
The situation in the Far East has
. once more become ebullient The Japa-
nese military are trying to round up the
| conquest of China by dispossessing the
| western powers of their eXtraterritorial
rights. There have been several at
tempts in Shanghai previously but they
have never taken concrete form.
| Last week japanese landing party
| endeavored to occupy the International
| settlement at Kulangsu. Hand it sue
! ceeded in doing this, the intention OF
the Toxic government would have been
to go one step further and do away
with foreign extraterritoriality in Shang-
hal. Based on previous experiences
with the western democracies, the jap
anese expected protest at the foreign
office in Toxic, followed by some stern
Totes and no action Toxic was SUR.
! prlSed to see that besides the dipto-
matte notes the American, the British
and the French governments for once
worked in full harmony and landed
thef own troops, with warning to
the japanese commander that they
would be used" in case of need.
After Bigger Game.
Toxic is after bigger game than the
rights of foreigners in China. 1t de-
clded to await for better opportunity
some new serious trouble in Europe
before the armies become active again
The main objective of Japanese
political and military strategy is now
the Southern Pacific where the Japa-
nese can find raw materials essential
Tor the completion of their plans to
become the Britain of the East.
A few months ago the Japanese navy
occupied the group of coral spots known
as the Spratly Islands-heretofore ac-
cepted as French dependencies. These
coral reefs are of no economic value,
but according to japanese naval Off
GERS they add to the fighting power
CT the navy as stationary airplare
carriers The Japanese are already
Transforming these islands into ideal
aircraft and submarine bases.
In the meantime information has
reached Washington that a powerful
Japanese squadron, composed of BATTLE
ships, heavy and light cruisers, de-
stroyers, submarines and other auxil-
larles, will hold its summer maneuvers
in the Southern Pacific and will nav
a courtesy call to the Dutch in South
ern Borneo. Oddly enough, the visit of
the Japanese fleet will coincide with a
Toxic request to the Dutch government,
for the lease of Southern Borneo to
Japan for period of SO years
Twice before the Japanese have en-
deavored to obtain a foothold in the
Dutch East Indies-by peaceful means.
Once, in 1882, when the japanese Minis
ter at The Hague informally advised
the Netherlands Premier that Japan
would like to buy the Dutch East Indies
for any amount Queen Wilhelminas
government thought fit to ask Agair.
last year the minister of commerce
informed the Diet that Japan would
negotiate with the Dutch government
for the lease of oil lands in Java and
| Sumatra. On both occasions the Meth
erlands government replied that it would
neither sell nor lease any part of its
colonies but that the japanese govern
ment could purchase all the oil 1t
wanted from there.