THREATS BY JAPAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 250, 4 August 1941, Page 6

THREATS BY JAPAN

THAILAND CONCESSIONS SOUGHT RELATION TO THE BLOCKADE. DETERMINING THE PRESSURE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 3. Messages from Tokio state that Japanese activities create the impression that Japan is ready “to go over the top.” Tfie view taken in is that the latest threats indicate Japan-s determination to break the British and American blockade or frighten Thailand into granting concessions. Mr Tolischus, the New York'“Tunes correspondent at Tokio says that while Japan is hound irrevocably to her course in Asia the Government is reacting cautiously to the tightening oi the Britisli-American blockade because it realises that the present Avar effort in China, is bound to eat up the reserve stocks quickly if blockade prevents replenishment. Thus while Japan’s statesmen are unable to change their expansionist course they do not want to plunge the nation into total, and probably prolonged, war against nations richer and stronger than Japan, at least until the trend of the RussoGerman conflict is clearer. The diplomatic correspondent of Ihe Times” says that the economic pressure by the democratic powers against Japan is increasing. Mr Roosevelt s order regarding motor fuels and constitutes a heavy blow to Japan, ft is believed in Britain that the Netheiland East Indies, far from lagging behind the United States, will tolloiv parallel courses. The Japanese reinforcement of the garrisons in Manchukuo and northern Korea, if not absolutely confirmed, is considered highly probable lint at the same time there is no reason to suppose that the Japanese Government wishes to do more than oblige its German partner by maintaining in these regions forces large enough to make the Russians think tivice before weakening their poiverful b ar Eastern aimy. The diplomatic correspondent of “J he Tillies” adds that all indications point to continuance of the Japanese activity in the South Seas and “Greater Asia. Japan may not be ready to apply anect and official pressure against -Thailand, but there are indications that if the militarists come to believe that such pressure can_be exercised without undue danger they will insist that risks be taken and they will probably get their way.