JAPAN DETERMINED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 252, 6 August 1941, Page 5

JAPAN DETERMINED

EXPANSIONIST PROGRAMME. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THAILAND. EXTREMELY GRAVE POSITION (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 5. To-day’s reports from the Far East make it clear that Japan is determined to proceed with her southward expansion programme. The Tbkio newspaper “Kokumin” reflects the general tone of Japanese opinion. It repeats the charge that Thailand is being threatened by Britain, the United States and China and says Japan is directly concerned. Thailand, the newspaper continues, should follow Indb-China’s example to secure her defence through Japan’s assistance. The newspaper adds: “The Netherlands East Indies is an indispensable element in Japan’s co-prosperity sphere. However, Thailand is Japan’s immediate concern.” The spokesman for the Japanese Cabinet’s Information Bureau (Mr Ishii) said to-day that Japan was conducting economic negotiations with Thailand. He refused to say anything about the disposition of Japanese troops in Indo-China; Explosion in Few Days Likely. In London the position of Thailand is regarded as extremely grave. The opinion is expressed that events may move fast unless Britain and the United States guarantee Thailand’s independence. Most authoritative commentators think that Japan realises the risks involved, but nevertheless is prepared to go ahead with her plans. The Saigon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says . that military and political leaders in British Malaya, Thailand, and Indochina believe an explosion may be only a matter of days. In the United States the “New York Post” urges the country to enter into a formal alliance with Britain and China to make the policy of the United States quite clear to Japan. It is revealed in London that consultations are still going on about commercial measures against Japan. It is stated that the measures which have been taken are already having an effect. Burma is anxiously watching de- ' velopments, but is outwardly calm, reports the Rangoon correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” A far-reaching announcement regarding defence Is imminent. High military quarters point out that Burma’s part in the Imperial , Far East defence scheme comprises the holding off of initial enemy attacks by land and air until the Royal Navy assists. ■■ T - Expectations by the Axis. Modern aircraft in the skies are a common thing the correspondent adds. The masses of the Royal Air Force indicate that Burma will not be an easy nut to crack. The expectations of Berlin and Rome may be summed up in the comment of Dr. Gayda, who writes in the “Gior- * nale d’ltalia”: “The Anglo-Saxon nations should prepare to face the furious counterblow which will be unleashed in Europe and the Pacific at the end of the Russian campaign.” The Tokio correspondent of > the “New York Times’ (Mr Otto D. Tolischus) says that according to the Domei News Agency, Japan, considering herself encircled by four Powers — America, Britain, China, and the Dutch East Indies — is speeding up mobilisation for total war. This will mean that the military, political, economic,, agricultural, industrial, and social structures will all be affected by imperial ordinances drafted by the Cabinet Planning Board. More than a dozen ordinances now in preparation will be submitted at a plenary session on August 8. The total war economy will be controlled by the Government, but will be directed by the country’s best business brains. Japanese Bllrne Democracies. According to /leading Japanese spokesmen, mobilisation is necessary because the four Powers are lining up to frustrate Japan’s divine mission of liberating the nations in Greater East Asia from the shackles of Euro , pean and American capitalAll the spokesmen put responsibility for any disturbance of the peace of the Pacific on the lour Powers named above. All voices are becoming very pessimistic ns to whether such a uistnrbance can be avoided. Nevertheless they are elated by tne ease of tho occupation of Tndo-Onna, * where the Japanese were received with dll diplomatic courtesies, and were provided with the best buildings and the best barracks. All the Japanese spokesmen, so tar as they are permitted to reach the public, declare that Japan has no choice but to march onward until the lofty goal, which is now taught to the children in the schools is attained. In this chorus yesterday a voice with a slightly different nuance was lifted up.LMr Tolischus adds. Mr Retsn Kiyosawa, noted political commentator, .writing an open letter to the Prime Minister "(Prince Konoye), in p' 10 “Chugai Shogyo Sliimpo,” calls lor the mobilisation of one of Japan’s greatest assets, the national reputation of 1 rince Konoye, to overcome the present diplomatic crisis. Never in Tier long history, says Mr Kiyosawa, has Japan been encircled by such a combination of Powers as she is to-day, and he flatly lays the responsibility on 1 mice Konoye*s magnanimous indifference. Nevertheless, he leal Is on the 1 rcmier first, to support and collaborate with Admiral Toyoda, the foreign Minister, and second, to clarily Japan s grand mission and objective in terms the world will understand. Mr Kiyosawa points out that only bv complete unity between Premier and Foreign Minister were diplomatic crises mastered in the past. 'The Japanese Ministry of Railways, in order to conserve petrol, will ■pend services on 38 lines throughout

Japan. The decision becomes effective on August 10. The Japanese Cabinet’s Information Bureau’s spokesman (Mr Ishii) announced that Japanese' shipping to America had been suspended indefinitely, depending on a settlement of the Tatuta/Maru case, after which the resumption of shipping will, depend on whether it is commercially profitable. The United States Government is preparing to send a vessel to Japan to evacuate 654 Americans virtually stranded by the suspension of Japanese sailings. The Foreign Settlement of Canton lias been blockaded by the Japanese in retaliation to the British freezing of Japanese assets.