JAPANS "FINAL WARNING" TO TRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 8

JAPANS "FINAL WARNING" TO TRANCE

HELP TO CHINA. Cessation Of War Supplies To Interior Reported. NEGOTIATIONS WITS, NAZIS. • United Press'Association.—Copyright..' (Received 10 a.m.) , TOKYO, June: 10. Uγ. Y. Suhia, a member of the Cabinet, clarified the immediate official position in. Incio-China, by saying that: Firstly, Japan regards herself, as the stabiliser, of East Asia, and has so regarded her position since the first Sino-Japanese war and the period of-the alliance.. Secondly, slie regards Indo-Cliiua .as of parallel importance with the East Indies, .indeed of added importance.inilitarily, as the chief, route for munitions to Chungking, against which Japan is approaching the last stage; of hostilities. ■ . '. ■■; ■ Mr. Maeayuki Tani,'. Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, is reported to have summoned M. Arsene Henry, French Ambassador to Japan, and protested at Indo-China's acts in assisting Chungking, in reply to which the Ambassador is- understood to have stated' .tliat France was taking appropriate: measures for' Indo-China's voluntary stoppage of supplies. ; ' v • Instructions to Ambassadors;.Mr. Asahi said at an extraordinary Council meeting that Mr. Arita, Foreign Minister, had informed Admiral .i'onai, the Prime Minister, and General , Hata, Minister of War,, that the Navy's instructions had been dispatched to Mr. Kurusu, Japanese Ambassador to Belgium, and Mr. Amau, Ambassador to Switzerland, to negotiate with Germany and Italy regarding "Japan's concern in "ihdo-China and desiring)' that they refrain from any change 'in. ludo-Chica of an unfriendly.nature to; Japan."' A : Japanese spokesman "characterised 'the-protest to France as a final .warning, asserting that Japanese forces'.will be forced to take necessary' military measures if Indo-China's assistance to Chungking is not halted. ■-.'■ ■ ', A message, from Hongkong states that it is reliably, reported that all transhipments of gasoline and oil through Indo-China to the interior have ceased forthwith; apparently ■ due to the Japanese complaint and demands. Increasing Anxiety. A message from Shanghai says there is . increased ' anxiety about possible Japanese action against Indo-China and the.'East Indies, as a result of the action of France in seeking an,armistice. Diplomats are attempting to confirm rumours that 100,000 Japanese troops are concentrated at Hainan Island. It. is revealed .that ; Admiral Shimada, commander oE the' Japanese CJrina Seas Fleet, inspected Hainan.- •. - • - - . Japanese vernacular newspapers ill Tokyo predict that the Government -will in a day, or two make friendly representations to Italy and Germany, pointing oμt Japan's concern regarding French Indo-China owing to its close geographical and economic relation:! with Japan and to Indo-China's strong anti-Japanese attitude, and also requesting similar friendly consideration of the East Indies question. .Spme : . Japanese circles fear peace terms aro- probable under which France would give Germany Indo-China, arfi accordingly Urge that Japan should act beforehand. . It-is reliably stated that permany hat reiterated to Japan assurances that she will not demand the return of South Sea possessions mandated to Japan.