Great Britain's Note to Japan Great Britain's Note to Japan,
published this week, is couched in distinctly firmer language than the British Government has been accustomed to use lately. It wholly rejects Japan's claim, as outlined by Prince Konoye, to establish a " New Order in China " based on a Japanese trade monopoly, and the repudiation of the Nine Power Treaty and the principle of " the Open Door." It is not obvious what practical results the Note will have; its greatest significance is perhaps as an affirmation of the identity of policy which unites Great Britain and the United States. Somewhat clumsily the Japanese have tried to contrast American policy with the " more realistic " attitude of Great Britain; the British Note repeats in an even stronger form the content of the American Notes of December 6th and December list. The development of this common policy will depend largely on the success of President Roosevelt's attempts to secure amendments of the Neutrality Act that will give him greater freedom of action. But common action has already been taken in the granting of credits to China; it would be interesting to know whether the new firmness Great Britain has shown is connected with the new route for British trade with China which is provided via Rangoon by the new China-Burma road.
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