THE SANCTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 3

THE SANCTIONS

JAPAN’S TRADE AT STANDSTILL. INDIVIDUAL TRANSACTIONS. LONDON, July 30. It was emphasised in London- this morning that tho measures taken against Japan by tho TJnited States, Britain and the Dominions institute machinery which brings Japan’s trade with those countries to a standstill. Machinery is so devised that through a system of licences which may be granted in respect of individual transactions there may bo relaxation of these measures, but the extent to which this will be permitted may well be dependent on Japanese action:—British Official Wireless. OPINION IN UNITED STATES. STRONGER STEPS POSSIBLE IN EVENT OF RETALIATION WASHINGTON, July 29. The economic strictures applied by the United States, and the British Empire and the Netherlands East Indies against Japan are believed to be only the preliminary to stronger measures which will increase the economic pressure and which will be taken if Japan retaliates vigorously or if it is seen that the territorial occupations obviously presage further expansion. Both British and American sources at Washington are convinced that Japan will rest for the present and; wait the outcome of the battle in Russia- and the battle of the Atlantic. Japan at present seems capable of taking only what can be taken without military opposition. The Netherlands East Indies’ order for freezing assets, which permits exports to Japan under licence, provides an intentional loophole for Japan to obtain essential supplies although under considerable restrictions. “The Christian Science Monitor’s” correspondent at Washington says there is not the slightest indication in official circles that Washington or London, took drastic anti-Japanese action in t'he belief that the time had come to crush Japan, as so many people in both countries advocated. On the contrary, all the evidence points to a strong hope in both capitals that war might not be the result, at least while British and American attention is still directed to defeat Germany. The American public’s support for the freezing measures is almost universal ,although a few isolationists are claiming that the action is taking the country into war. Mr Walter Lippman gives a clear warning. He says: “If the freezing is insufficient to paralyse Japan or to be the conceivable cause of a real change of policy in Tokio, other measures must necessarily follow quickly. Thus we find ourselves on the edge of an embargo, then blockade, then war.