Evening star., 1940-09-29
WAR PROSPECTS IN FAR EAST
Axis Lineup With yopon Has Grove implications
By Constantine Brown.

D6P1l dCCuSUOIIleO W SuCIl va S4IiNC
1892.
For while the TOXIC leaders we're
concerned over the possibility of a con-
f1ict with this country. They know what
most people even in responsible quar-
tiers don't know here: That the bark
of the Japanese Army is worse than
its bite. Without definite alliance with
Germany and Italy Japan could not
have undertaken such a huge task as
it faces now. But Germany has come
to her aid in two ways already: Cd Ber-
lin has informed TOXIC of the actual
status of our national defense program,
pointing out that we will not venture
the feet further than Hawaii and (2)
it has Strengthened out Russia.
definite assurance has been OBJ
tanned that the Moscow government
will not bulge while Japan moves toward
the south. Comrade Stain. in order to
prove the good faith of his government,
has suspended the sending Of all further
war materials and airplanes to Chang
Kai-shek Not a single plane or tank
has reached the Chinese commander in
chief for the last six weeks. Further
more, important units of the Siberian
Army have been sent away from that
province and are, at the present time,
either in the Ukraine or on the Persian
border.
Japan's Expansfonist Ideas.
In the meantime. the japanese have
been able to move the army stationed in
Korea southwark. The japanese Navy
which was keeping watch on Vladi-
vostock has been ordered, it is believed
here, to the south. Thus the stage
Is ready for the greatest expansionist
move of Japan; the absolute control of
Asia south of the Siberian border and
as far as the Indian Ocean.
Toxic is fully convinced that hence
forth no power in the world can stop
its march towards the establishment of
huge Asiatic Empire.
In Washington the situation IS
regarded with more than the usual "ap-
prehensiont' There are many in re-
sponsible quarters who believe that it Is
our duty to prevent the further expan-
sion of Japan, by force if necessary.
They say it is not a question of looking
with jealous eye towards Nippon's ag-
grandizement but merely a matter Of
the survival of this Nation. In these
quarters it is felt that Japan is an even
greater menace to our national existence
than Germany or Italy. In any event,
Japan is considered today as definite
part of the axis and her future activi-
ties will be dictated by the plans and
aims Of the two European dictatorships.
The time will come, it is felt here, when
We shall have to count on defending both
shores of the United States and that
time may arrive even before we have
completed our huge naval program.
Oil Embargo Possible.
For the time being. the administra-
ton has not given any indication Of
what it has in mind. In all likelihood
the next step will be the establishment
of an embargo on the export of oil Great
Britain and the United States provide
80 per cent of the oil consumed in
Japan and complete stoppage of the
oil export by both would have a disas-
trous effect on Japanese operations.
There are oil stores throughout the
empire but these are not sufficient for
more than four months, if the Japanese
feet. which has not seen any action yet,
must go out and conquer the Dutch
East Indies and possibly Singapore.
1t is fully realized that such an en-
barge might be treated by Japan as an
act of war. But, as Things stand now,
1t appears that Washington is no longer
worried-so long as Britain holds out
over such a gesture from the Toxic
government.
There are conversations with London
afoot at the present moment working
towards the closest cooperation between
the two countries in the Far East. The
question of the United States being
permitted to use Singapore as a naval
base for the Pacific fleet needs no new
talks or agreements. In 1887 the British
government placed that important naval
base at our disposal and the then
Premier of Britain. Lord Baldwin, stated
this publicly in the House of Commons.
But there are other angles which have
not been revealed yet and which are the
topic of frequent discussion between the
British Ambassador at Washington, Lord
Lothian, and high officials of the State
and Navy Departments
On Monday, September %, the day
when the occupation of parts of Indo-
China by Japan was attempted, Secre-
tary Hull reiterated officially his state
ment that the United States cannot
remain a disinterested spectator of the
tragedy which is being enacted now in
the Far East. This time the statement
Of the Secretary of State is being read
in responsible quarters not as a pious
wish and an empty diplomatic express
sion. 1t Is considered as ominous and
full Of implications.