JAPAN'S DANGEROUS MOVE
HE policy of the new Japanese Cabinet formed by Prince Koncrye has already taken a dangerously aggressive turn. In the new Government the Army, the Navy and big business are strongly represented. Mr. Matsuoka, who brought Japan into alliance with Germany and afterwards negotiated the neutrality pact with Russia, has been replaced as Foreign Minister by Vice-Admiral Toyoda, who in the past has been well disposed to Great Britain and the United States. The Government takes its stand on the continuity of its foreign policy, but its spokesmen have been cryptic in their explana- tions of what that means. The official Japanese news agency; by circulating the false report that Great Britain and China are about to invade Indo-China, has shown clearly enough in what direction the next definite move may. be expected.. The move, indeed, is already being made, for while the issue of an ultimatum from Tokyo to Vichy is denied it is perfectly clear that Tokyo's accents are rendered persuasive by the force that could in case of need accompany them. The need will not arise. Vichy, which fought for Syria against Britain, has no intention of fighting for Indo-China against Japan. That rich and strategically important province will be handed over without demur to Japanese tutelage—temporarily, and simply as a means of defeating the predatory designs of the British, Chinese and Free French. The details of the arrange- ment formally reached are irrelevant. Japan is to occupy Indo-China, and the British and American Governments have to consider—or would have if they had not already done so— what action to take in face of a move which strengthens Japan substantially against both of them. Both, fortunately, are in a position to exercise decisive economic pressure, and it is to be hoped they will take an entirely realist view of the situation.
