JAPAN'S POSITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 227, 8 July 1941, Page 5

JAPAN'S POSITION

POSSIBILITY OF INTERVENTION. COMMENT IN LONDON PRESS. AWAITING BERLIN’S COMMAND (United Press Association —Copyright.i LONDON, July 7. The newspapers in London are discussing the possibility that Japan will intervene in the war, either by attacking the Russian rear or by a move southwards. The “Daily Express” declares that Japan’s policy is already cut and dried, and that Tokio is merely awaiting commands from Berlin. The newspaper adds that by careful timing, Japanese intervention might make all the difference between a successful Russian defence and a Russian defeat. The “Sunday Dispatch” believes that a Japanese blow will be aimed at Vladivostok and the Russian maritime provinces. This will be followed by a drive against Singapore, which will he contingent upon Germany’s ability to drive to India through Russia. The “Sunday Dispatch” points out that the general staffs in London and Moscow have already provided for such a development and one immediate counter-move would be military cooperation between Russia, Britain and China.

FIFTH COLUMN ACTIVITY, MANY GERMANS AGENTS IN TOKIO. GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL: LONDON, July 6.. The methods by which the Nazis build up support for their policy m countries allied to them is describes in an article in the “New York HeraldTribune,” which lias aroused great interest in London. The article is written by Dr. Spinks, a former editor of the American newspaper “Japan News Week,” published in Tokio, and it describes liow the fifth column activities of the Nazis have invaded every phase of Japanese political and social Jlio. Tho Nazis have studied every method of making their penetration effective. Tho following instance is evidence of the Germans’ attention to detail. The article says: “Ordinarily it would bo difficult to establish that an intimate basis is necessary for effective fifth column work. Yet the Germans were quick to discover that national vanity is a weakness to be exploited to the fullest. Since the outbreak or the war with China, in July, 1937, the outward display of Japanese patriotism lias been considerably intensified. Two current forms are: (1) bowing before the Imperial palace, and (2) making pilgrimages to shrines associated with the growth of national and military power. “Here was an opportunity to play on Japanese vanity which the Germans did not ignore. German business groups, Hitler youth missions and others coming to Japan to swell the ranks of the fifth column methodically assemble 1 before the Imperial Vtuace and bow in true Japanese fashion toward the abode of the heavenly sovereign. The bowing over, tn« ceremony is capped with a Nazi salute. “Reporters and newsreel cameramen are always on hand to record this ostensible manifestation of German respect and humanity. No other foreigners ever go through this ritual, although they bow when the Emporoi* passes on the street or when some special service is held to which they are invited. A particularly effective instance was when Germans taken by a British cruiser from the Asama Maru were later released and returned to Tokio. Their first act was to parade to the Imperial Palace and with bows and Nazi salutes express gratitude for their deliverance. The effect on the Japanese was tremendous.” A)r. Spinks adds': “Tokio to-day offers vivid testimony of how the fifth column lias pushed its way into> power. But for a small handful, British and Americans, who formerly constituted tho great majority of tho foreign community, have moved out and tho Goimans have moved in. There are more than 3000 Germans now in Japan.and they are the largest foreign group. In the last three months some ‘2BOO Germans chocked in and out of the conntry. They come and go, listed as businessmen, technicians and scholars. “The Imperial Hotel in Tokio has been taken over and is now tlie filth, column’s social centre. No fewer than 300 Germans are studying Japanese m Tokio. A detachment of Nazi counterespionage experts from the Gestapo is now attached to the Japanese military police, training them in the latest Nazi methods. There are 260 German technical exports working in Japanese war industries.”