UGLY THREAT TO AMERICA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 237, 5 October 1940, Page 9

UGLY THREAT TO AMERICA

Japanese Minister's Outburst

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Bee 2 p.m.>

TOKYO. October 4.

The Japanese Foreign Minister. Mr. Matsuoka. said that Japan will be compelled to fight the United States if the United States enters the' European war or insists on the preservation of the status quo in the Pacific, z

"I fling this challenge to America, *if she blindly and stubbornly sticks to the Pacific status quo we will fight for it. for it is better to perish than to maintain the status quo.* Frankly the Japan Axis pact is intended to prevent the United States from involvement in the European war.

"We all fear it would then develop into a vital and disastrous conflict which we wish to avoid. This pact is an eloquent expression of Japan's wishes, but it is a peace pact and Americans must understand it as such."

_ added that Japan cannot be any longer strangled in its desire to establish a new order of mutual prosperity in Asm. He declared that Britain and America had forced the Axis the use of force in Europe.

Whether or not die European war becomes a world war is purely in the hands of the United States." he declared. "Americans, must see clearly the spirit of the tripartite pact, which is candidly aimed at them. Japan would welcome frank wpil diplomatic exchanges with hill understanding, but if die United States continues measures such as tightening die embargo, die will only further the anger of Japan.**