THE FAR EAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 113, 22 February 1941, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

“A DOVE OF PEACE.”" DECLARATION BY JAPANESE. BRITAIN AND U.S.A. “SNAKES.” 'United Press Association—Copyrght.) (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, February 21.: The Army spokesman (Major Kunio Akiyama) said at a press conference that Japan was like a dove of peace, but Britain and America "‘were “snakes placing snakes’ eggs in a dove’s nest.” He said that Japan’s reaction is to “protest very vigorously.” The interpreter added that Major Akiyama means nothing unkindly when he calls Britain and America, snakes.” Major Akiyama said that, snakes’ eggs include the fortification of Singapore and Guam, and the arrivaj of Australians, in Malaya,. He..added that Britain and America were an effort “to impose the status quo upon Japan,” where actually Britain and America, were’ giiiliy of"jlifst~ ; Brealim'g the Pacific status quo, the former when she abrogated -the .Anglo-Japan-’ ese Alliance, Slid the latter when she abrogated the Japan-American commercial treaty. He said that Japan was always victimised. Major Akiyama said that all talk of war in the Pacific “centred on the eastern side of the Pacific, whereas in the Western Pacific everyone was crying for peace.” Asked whether the Japanese planned or was planning counter-measures to the arrival of Australians in Malaya, Major Akiyama. said, “Not- as far as the Army is concerned.’’ ~ . However/the Navy spokesman declined to comment on the same question as far as the Navy was involved. The “Red Star,” . the organ, p| the Soviet Army, comments oh the weak points in Japan’s war of nerves against Britain and the United States. Referring to reports of Japanese military preparations and the movement south, the newspaper says that the weak and vulnerable, ppints in these preparations were pointed out by the president of a Japanese metal concern, who emphasised that Japan depended to a large extent on- overseas supplies of .. . raw materials. The “Red Star” contrasts the statements of Japanese diplomats with the reported activities of the military authorities, and remarks that some foreign observers iind a division between •diplomatic and military circles. v INDO CHINA’S POSITION. CONFERENCE OF DEFENCE ‘ ■ HEADS. j,,(Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) SAIGON, 'February 21. : The Governor (M. Decoux) -presided at a conference of military and naval commanders who discussed the military and political situation of Indo-China. THAILAND DENIES REPORT, NO MILITARY DEMANDS MADE. (Received This - Day, 9.5 a.m.) , BANGKOK, February 21. The Foreign Office denied that the Japanese were demanding military facilities of any kind .from Thailand. The authorities said that Thailand vail resist demands of a military nature from any quarter. “