Evening star., 1939-05-21

japanese Attitude
Hits British Plans
For Russian Pact
Berlin-Tokio Alliance
Feared if Demands of
Soviet Are Met
BY SIR ARTHUR WILLERT.


Soviet Are Met
BY SIR ARTHUR WILLERT.
LONDON, May 20 (N.AN.A).-The
attitude of Japan is largely respon-
sible for. the latest hitch In the
Anglo negotiations.
Intimations have been reaching
London from Toxic that, if Britain
gives Russia comprehensive de-
fense alliance, which Stain wants,
Japan will retaliate by giving Ger
many Japanese-German military
alliance, which Hitler wants.
1t is stated that the elements for
and against military alliance with
Germany are so evenly matched in
Japan that regular Anglo Russian
alliance would throw Japan fully
into the dictatorial camp, even if
the Far East were expressly ex-
empted from the scope of the al
lance. Such contingency is not
pleasant to contemplate, especially
by those who still dream of the pos
sibility of breaking up the dictatorial
camp.
Other causes for Prime Minister
Chamberlain continued insistence
upon a limited Russian arrange
ment, such as fear that a compre-
hensive alliance would make Spain
more Subservient than ever to Rome
and Berlin, fear that Portugal might
be sent in the same direction, fear of
alternating other small countries and
fear of letting Moscow into British
military secrets, do not impress
those who believe Stain right in
arguing that the best way finally to
persuade the dictators that war will
not pay is for Britain to sign a
regular defensive alliance with
Russia. and thus give the democratic
peace front an overpoWering nucleus
in the shape of a triple pact en-
bracing Britain, France and Russia.
Hitler's Agents Busy.
1t is felt that such fears are, to
no small extent, an unconscious
product of German propaganda. 1t
has been evident for some time past
that German propagandists have
been working overtime to make
Britain shy away from Russia. 1t
is suspected that Tokio's attitude is
due to colluSion with Berlin, and
there are all the familiar signs that
Hitlers agents in London are busy
fomenting fears regarding the effect
of an Anglo-Russian alliance upon
Spain and other countries and keep
ing the hope Of appeasement alive.
Although prophecy is dangerous.
it seems probable that basis for
adequate Anglo-Russian co-opera-
ton will eventually be reached. The
demand for such cooperation gains
steadily in force. The French gov
ernment continues to urge Mr..
Chamberlain to be realistic. So do
the majority of foreign affairs ex-
perts in London, as well as the bulk
of public opinion here and in France.
This strengthens the position of
formidable number of Mr.. Cham
berlain's parliamentary supporters
who want forward action. And, as
good party man, Mr.. Chamberlain
is prone to yield at the last moment
to really convincing pressure from
! his own side.
The last example of this tendency
was the issue of conscription.
Shortly before he announced his in
tention of bringing in consumption
bill, Mr.. Chamberlain told a private
meeting of his supporters that con-
scription was out of the question
Pressure for it, however, increased
by leaps and bounds. Rank and file
Conservatives showed signs of mu-
tiny, and the prime minister cap
itulated
Britain Regains Strength.
The Anglo agreement also
is calculated to make a statesman
like view of Anglo-Russian relations
prevail. Together with Vice Foreign
Commissar Potemkins tour of the
Balkans, it has immensely strength
ened the potentialities of the peace
front. The warmth of Potemkins
reception in the Balkan countries
shows how little basis exists in the
key part of Europe for the argument
that the small countries are afraid
of cooperation with the Soviets.
Britain, by winning Turkey as an
ally, has recaptured much of the
strength she lost in the Mediter-
ranean when she allowed the dicta-
tors to dominate Spain. Russia, by
indicating to Poland and the Balkan
countries that she will stand with
them against Germany, has made
an equally effective move in power
politics, and the balance of power
is beginning to tilt toward the
democracies. If Russia and Britain
can get together, the balance will be
Overwhelmingly on their side.
The important thing about these
considerations is that, according to
usually rellables sources, they are
causing genuine anxity in Berlin.
Whether Hitler and his immediate
henchmen share this anxiety can
not be told. One story that might
indicate that all is not comfortable
IN the high circles is that Hitler
recently summoned the leaders of
the army and made to them an i'm
passloned appeal for personal 10y
atty, even, if necessary, against the
Nazi party itself.
Ihls story and others like it can
not, however, be confirmed. and
against them must be set indica-
tiOnS that German Foreion Ndi,,-