JAPAN'S BELLICOSE ATTITUDE TO U.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 238, 7 October 1940, Page 7

JAPAN'S BELLICOSE ATTITUDE TO U.S.A.

PREMIER'S DEMAND.

Aims In Pacific Must Be

Recognised.

United Press Association.—Copjr:i;:ht. LOXDOX, Oct, fi. "The question of war or peace in the Pacific depends upon whether the United States and Japan respect and understand each other's positions," said the Prime Minister of Japan, Prince Konoye, in an interview at Kyoto. He addcu '.hat Japan's alliance with the Axis Powers was based on such mutual recognition, and tinUnited States i-ould have the same as a "quid pro quo," but no overtures to America on the subject were planned.

'"Should the United States refuse, and persist in regarding the alliance as a hostile act, there i« no other than war," said Prince Konoye. "We are ready to accept the challenge and fight to a finish."

In Washington, the United States Secretary of the Navy, Colonel W. F. Knox, (.aid the Japanese-German-Italian alliance was the most serious challenge to the American mode of life iu history. The alliance was directed against the United States, which was the largest obstacle in the path of the totalitarian Powers. Should Britain fail to stem the tide of tyranny, international brigands would surround the United States, whose destruction would be their greatest victory.

America Will Be Ready If War Comes.

"Never understanding us, they suppose our people can be brought under their iron rule." said Colonel Knox.

"Both as an American and a Saw official, I know differently. If a fight is forced upon tis, we will be ready. We have never lost a war yet. The acquisition of eight 4>ases from Britain has moved the Atlantic theatre of war a thousand miles to the eastward.

Colonel Knox declared there were hundreds, and even thousands, of saboteurs in the United States. Every shipyard, factory, arsenal and powder plant must be guarded.

Although no official general order has been issued, Americans in Shanghai who had appronclied their authorities for guidance have been recommended to evacuate the women and children without delay. The regular commercial means of communication to America are booked to capacity for two months ahead as the result of a sudden rush to avacuate women and children in the last few days.

AMERICAN NAVY.

27,000 Reservists Called Up

For Service.

CANADA'S GROWING ARMY

'Reod. 11 a.m.)

NEW YORK, Oct. 6.

The United States Xavy has called up 27,000 reservists, of whom 11.289 are already on duty. The total strength of the reserv; ; is 235,000.

The navy announced that it is disbanding the squadron of three ships which have been on duty in European waters since the Spanish civil war. They will return to the United States.

The United States Secretary for Labour, Miss Frances Perkins, predicted an increase of from 3,000,000 to 4,000.000 workers in defence industries, in addition to 2,000,000 indirectly by the end of 1941. She said the completion of work on the present defence appropriation* would require 4,540,000, and many years of labour.

According to a meesage from Ottawa the Canadian Defence Department say* Canada will have an army of 500,000 men in permanent or non-permanent service by next summer. Men on fulltime active service at home and overseas now total 150.000. The non-per-manent active militia numbers nearly 112,000. while 29,750 will be called up on Wednesday under the National Resources Mobilisation Act as the first of 240.000 to be called on in the next 12 months.

REPORT DENIED. "Fight America If Pacific Status Preserved." JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER. (Reed. 11 a.m.) TOKYO, Oct. 6. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman. Mr. Sunia, denied that the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, had made a statement regarding Japan's relations with the United States as was reported yesterday. Mr. Suina alleged that the report was a garbled version of an interview which Mr. Matsuoka gave to a contributor to the American magazine "Liberty." This report alleged that Mr. Matsuoka said Japan would be compelled to fight the United States if the United States entered the European war or insisted on the preservation of the status quo in th= Pacific. Mr. Matsuoka has also denied making this statement. He said: "It is unimaginable that any person in such a responsible position as Foreign Minister could have said that. I made no such remarks."