“AT CROSSROADS”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 5

“AT CROSSROADS”

PREMIER’S WARNING TO JAPAN. NAVY READY FOR ANYTHING. AIR SERVICE AS SPEARHEAD. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, October 20. “Japan now stands at the crossroads of life and death,” said the Prime Minister (General To jo to-day. General Tojo, who is also Minister for War, told the staff of the Japanese War Office that it must be ready to sacrifice everything to surmount the crisis. The Japanese Domei News Agency has released the text of an order of the day issued when General Tojo addressed the War Office. In it, General Tojo emphasised the significance ofj the fact that he held both offices.

It is officially stated that General Tojo will be permitted to remain on active service by the special consent of the Emperor. The new Japanese Minister for the Navy (Admiral Shigetaro Shimada), in a broadcast speech, said: “The navy is prepared to cope with any change in the situation confronting Japan and as long as the army and navy are closely co-operating with the Government and the people are willing to surmount all difficulties Japan will be placed in a position of perfect security.”

The “Japan Times” says that American aid to Russia carried beyond a certain point will undoubtedly aggravate the position. The use of Vladivostok, the newspaper says, will create a danger of spreading the war to the Pacific.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham (British Commander-in-Chief in the Far East) who is in Australia, has cancelled his visit to New Zealand. He will stay in Australia for further consultations and then return to Singapore.

Referring to anxiety in Australia over the Japanese air service to Billy, in Portuguese Timor, the “Singapore Free Press,” in a leading article, says that the purpose of the service is obviously 'aerial reconnaissance and the creation of a spearhead for a southward drive, but the development need not cause undue worry.

“It*is reliably reported,” the newspaper says, “that Japanese naval and army officers and diplomatic officials are leaving Tokio by air shortly, ostensibly to discuss final details of the agreement. Australia’s "concern, equalled by Dutch suspicion, is a sufficient safeguard against any untoward happening. In any case, Timor is in the middle of the area dominated by British and Dutch power.” Plans have been completed for the evacuation of Singapore should this become necessary. The population has been divided into two sections, those who have made private arrangements to go to friends and relatives, and those who cannot make such arrangements and will require Government help.

GENERAL TOJO’S POLICY. ( FINAL EFFORT FOR AGREEMENT. before moving to the south. (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20. The Prime Minister of Japan (General Tojo) in his order of the day to the Japanese War Office said that Japan now demands iron unity among all the fighting arms and the people to cope with the encirclement by foreign powers. , The Domei News Agency predicts that the Government 'will institute a few changes in the basic policy of the nation but will carry it out more forcefully. It says that General Tojo will make a final effort for a JapaneseAmerican agreement and then break off discussions. A Japanese move to the south will follow. The apparent inactivity of the new Cabinet is misleading.