The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-03-31
RUSSIA VS.. JAPAN IN ASIA, ON LAND AND SEA
Fish and an old grudge provide crisis

economic accord at Berlin, accept
ing for safety's sake a Nazi over
lordship he disliked. This was not
placed into effect until the Czech
coup, when Carol found German
troops pounding on his door. Today
Berlin controls more than half of
Rumania's exports (wheat and oiD
and imports manufactured goods).
Once in Bucharest, it is but short
hop to either the Ukraine or such
Balkan states as Bulgaria and Yugo-
Slavia, where the Master of Central
Europe has already made his
strength felt.
Though at first happy that Ger
man penetration was going eastward
instead Of into Belgium or France,
Europe's demoeracies have at last
realized their error. A month ago
Germany was strong militarily but
irnpotent economically, devoid Of
foreign exchange and short Of food.
Today, with Czechoslovakia's big
gold reserve, with Runanian wheat
and oil, the Reich is strong in all
ways, q far greater threat than the
empire of l9l4.
For Russia, today's situation Is
more dangerous than last autumn's.
With Poland nipped out, the Reich
would control the Soviet's entire
western frontier, gradually eating
into the borderlands by undercover
penetration. It was not unexpected,
therefore, that Russia should follow
Britain and France in protesting the
Czech grab, becoming even more
alarmed over Rumania's economic
collapse. Since the U. S. has also
protested by diplomatic note and inn
position of an additional rs per cent
tariff on German imports, the red
bearded Soviet finds itself no longer
isolated but drawn into virtual dip
lomatic cemradeship with the three
nations whose democratic political
PHILOSOPHERS are farthest removed
from its own.
East. Russo-Jap conflict dates in
modern history to the war which
ended with the treaty of Portsmouth
in 1905, Since then ambitious Japan
has jumped to the Asiatie mainland
and penetrated Manehukuo and
Mongolia, both of which front on
Russian Siberia. For at least six
years this clash Of interests has oc-
casioned spasmodic border tussles,
most of which went unreported until
last summers Chankufeng hill Incl
dent. The simple fact is that slow
moving, stubborn Russians always
were and always viii be at odds
with Japan's attitude of self
righteousness. Asia is not big enough
for both.
Last December 81 the fishing
rights Japan has enjoyed in Siberian
waters since 1905 expired, Russia
refused to renew them and Tokyo
now plans to send its huge floating
canneries into Russian waters dur
ing early April, protected by war;
ships. As the crisis approaches, both
governments are rushing troops to
the Siberian-Ma nchukuoan frontier
where most Oriental observers con-
fidently predict a war must eventu-
ally break out.
Significance. European and Asiatic
crises are related, insofar as (D Ja-
pan and Germany have a virtual
military alliance, and (2) Russia is
involved in both disputes, Moreover,
Jap aggression the past year has fol-
lowed amazingly close behind Euro
pean dictator coups, as when Can
ton was captured after Munich, and
Hainan island was occupied after
Barcelona fell. Thus Jap-Italo-G Ger
man parallel action has al
ready been evidenced. With huge
Russia emerging as the unexpected
lfocal point, today's tense situation
encircles the world. involving more
nations than any period since the
World wars heyday.
Miscellany
A new, sub-low priced sports can
win be introduced on the American
market this summer,
= The tomb Of Pharaoh Psou Sen
Net. Egyptian ruler Of about $50 B,
c., has been discovered by Prof,
Pierre Montet Of Strasbourg univer-
atty. ss
3 The U. s. army has asked con-
gress to forbid West Point gradus
ates from marrying during the first
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