Evening star., 1941-08-03
Far Eastern Moves

Far Eastern Moves
President Roosevelt's embargo
order, expected to reduce by half
exports of oil to Japan, should be
considered in connection with Japa-
nese activities in Thailand. To be
sure, Japan was not specifically
mentioned in the new executive
order, but it obviously is aimed at
the island empire and should there
| fore be taken as an lntenSification
of the policy of economic pressure
designed to halt japanese aggression
in Southeastern Asia.
Equally obvious is the trend of
japanese pressure upon Thailand.
London reports that the Japanese
government has made far-reaching
demands upon Thailand of a COM
bined strategic and economic char
acter. These demands are said to
include the granting of military
bases and control over Thailand'S
production of rubber, rice and tin.
Toxic has issued denial Never
theleSS, recent known facts DEM
onstrate the degree to which Thai
land is falling into the Japanese
orbit. Within the last few days the
Thai government has extended a
credit to Japan for purchase of those
key commodities and also has recog-
nized the JapaneSe-SponSored gov
ernment of Manchukuo. This diplo-
matte gesture is hailed in Toxic as
highly significant. An official source
interprets it to mean that Thailand
is 'forSaking the British American
camp and joining Japan's program
for the construction of a greater
East Asia sphere of peace and mu-
tual prosperity"
Whether Japan will now take
military action in Thailand similar
to that in Indo-China is matter
for speculation. Toxic is operating
behind an elaborate smoke screen,
moving troops in all directions, from
the Siberian border to the Thai
frontier. This may mean that the
japanese government is marking
time to see how the Russo German
war develops. Yet it is equally pos
sible that Toxic already has deter
mined to move farther southwark
at all costs. 1t is characteristic OF
japanese diplomacy and strategy to
mask intentions and to strike with
out warning at what is deemed the
proper moment
Another open question is what
Britain would do if Japan attempted
an occupation of Thailand on the
Indo- China model. Britain has not
yet openly committed herself on this
point, as she has regarding the
Dutch Indies. But the British gov
ernment has expressed a definite
interest in the maintenance of Thai
independence, has sharply warned
Japan against further aggressions
and is openly strengthening its de-
fenses along its borders with Thai
land, both in Burma and in British
Malaysia, north of Singapore The
London press is urging strong
stand, even to the point of total
economic embargo of Japan in col
laboration with the United States
and the Netherlands Indies.
Thailand may thus become the
crucial issue in the chronic Far
Eastern crisis The deadline already
has been formally drawn through
Singapore and the Netherlands In
dies. Japan knows that an attack
upon either would mean not merely
an economic embargo, but full
fledged war with Britain and the
Netherlands, and probably with the
United States as well. Understand
ing between the three Western pow
ers in the Orient is so we'll imple-
mented that joint action can be pre-
sumed on all major issues. Japan
knows the risks involved in further
defiance of this coalition, basically
defensive in character, yet resolved
to limit japanese aggression. The
dangers involved are clear. But the
Japanese position is becoming des-
perate and it's military leaders are
ruthless. The island empire may,
therefore, be about to venture the
rro ~, LIa