Evening star., 1941-09-21
Russo-Jopunese Tension

NaSoOSO OP0hSSS tSi'Sioh
Russian defeats at the hands of
the Germans already are causing
repercussions in the Far East. Japa-
neSe statesmen and soldiers, watch
ing closely the battlefieldS of Europe,
seem to be stiffening their attitude
toward the Soviet Union. Chronic
disputes between the two nations are
being played up by Toxic. For in
stance, the japanese Ambassador in
Moscow has presented sharp pro-
test to the Soviet government against
the alleged presence of floating mines
in the Japan Sea, the extensive body
of water which lies between the is
land empire and RuSsia's maritime
provinces of Siberia. The japanese
note claims that two japanese fish
ing boats have been sunk by these
mines, which obviously did not COM
ply with international regulations
that they be SO adjusted as to sink
or explode upon breaking loose from
anchorage in mine-field. Toxic,
therefore, demands that the Russians
eliminate the danger to waters sur
rounding the japanese islands and
imperiling traffic between Japan and
Chosen, which also fronts on the
Japan Sea.
In itself, this mine controversy is
not a major issue. But the fact that
it is being played up at this moment
may be symptomatic of increased
tension between the two nations.
The Japanese press and army circles
are reviving the proposal to declare
a so-called safety zone around the
japanese islands, which automati-
cally would bar access to RuSslaS S
great Pacific port of VladivoStok.
That proposal was tacitly Shelved
with the beginning of negotiations
between Premier Konoye and our
State Department for settlement of
Japanese American differences. In
deed, the Russian government an
nounced that any interference with
access to VladivoStok on the part of
Japan would be regarded as an un-
friendly act. while our Government
let Toxic know such interference
with our trade would not be tolerated.
1t is certain that any action of this
nature on the part of Toxic would
disrupt current Japanese American
negotiations.
Nevertheless, if Russian defeats in
Europe culminate in a major diSas-
ter, japanese action against Siberia
is not improbable. Toxic has been
preparing for any emergency. Its
armies in Manchukuo and Chosen
have been increased at least three
fold during recent months, and some
estimates place their strength at
nearly 100000 Conversely, the
strain of war against Germany has
compelled the Soviet government to
deplete its strength in the Far East.
This depletion seems to have been
less in men than in equipment 1t
is known, for instance. that much
Of RuSsia's airplane force has had to
be flown westward. The powerful
flights of long-range bombers capable
of blasting Japan's inflammable
cities were trump cards in Russian
hands to curb the ambitions of
japanese militariStS for expansion
at Russias expense.
The weaker Russia becomes, the
stronger will be the temptation in
Toxic to risk stroke at Siberia
Forclble expansion southwark to-
ward Singapore and the Netherlands
Indies would spell instant war with
Britain, the Dutch and probably
America as well. An attack on ST.
IBERIA would not automatically evoke
so formidable a coalition. At least,
that is the belief and hope of Japa-
nese Army circles. Presumably.
RusSia'S situation in Europe would
have to become much worse before
Japan actually moved against the
Soviet Union. But the threat is
latent. The course of the war in
the west may thus determine the
trend of events in the Orient as
well