BELLIGERENT TONE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 302, 28 September 1940, Page 5

BELLIGERENT TONE.

DEFIANT THREATS MADE.

EAGER TO TACKLE DEMOCRACIES

(Received This Day, 11.35 a.in.) LONDON, September 27. A Japanese spokesman said: “We are not changing onr policy toward the United States. We are not abandoning the hope of re-adjusting relations with the United States.” A defiant threat is launched by the Ex'tremiyt newspaper “Kokumwishinbun” to-day. In an outburst against Britain and America occasioned by America’s loan to China and the embargo on scrap metal, the paper said: “If the British and Americans continue their unprovoked anti-Japanese stand they will get a telling blow.” Under 'the heading, “Fight for supremacy in Pacific,” the newspaper “Miyako Shimbun” says: “Indo-China is only a minor angle to the major struggle now developing between America and Japan, in which Britain is apparently participating.” The comparatively Conservative, “Asahi” declares: “It now seems that an inevitable clash will occur between Japan and the United States. We rather welcome the United States’ decision to act in a decisive manner instead of persecuting Japan by slow means.” Most observers in Washington doubt that the pact will influence Britain and the United States'and also doubt that the pact will have any immediate physical results since the three. Powers are fully occupied already. Because of the limited achievements which the pact could produce immediately, some believe it was designed partly to bolster up the morale of the three countries, where the quick victories anticipated have not materilised.

Meanwhile, many observers have expressed the opinion that the ultimate and most important result might be the encirclement of Russia, leading the Soviet seriously and promptly to consider closer association with Britain and the United States.

•Mussolini, telegraphing to Prince Konoye, said : “Italians welcome a pact associating the energies of our countries 1 in the great task of European and Asiatic, reconstruction. Italy has long followed with unchanged sympathy the developments of Japanese policy. Such high aims must logically culminate in to-day’s events.” King Victor ©mmanuel and Count Ciano have sent similar messages to the Mikado and Mr Matsuoka.