15 NOVEMBER 1935, Page 32

Current Literature

JAPAN IN CRISIS : AN ENGLISHMAN'S • IMPRESSIONS

By H. Vere Redman Mr. Redman's book (Allen and UnWin, Os.) touches upon and illuminates most of the constituent elements in what we call " the Japanese problem." He shows how Japan's political expansion is; closely, 'related ,to her foreign trade expansion, and how both hang , on _the_ problem of population. He suggests that the solution of the population problem must lie in an expansion of trade, and, more in sorrow than in anger, he chides the nations 'for adopting arbitrary measures to prevent' that expansion. " To hinder 'this solution," he warns us, 1' is to invite consequences -which it must be the larger interest of the whole world to avoid." 'The effect of Great Britain's-change in fiscal policy on Japan's economic and political . outlook is clearly shOwn. Trade restrictions against Japanese goods have driven the industrialists into the arms of the military, 'and. Britain's stimulation of anti- Japaneke quota policies in the Crown Colonies has gone far to undermine fernier friendly feelings towards Great Britain in Japan. It is a pity Mr. Redman's book did not come sooner.' His chapter on Angle-JapaneSe relations is admirable, and even now his advice to the Western nations to offer Japan equal partnership in maintaining the peace of the world deserves the most careful consideration.