'TORTURED JAPAN'

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1941, Page 9

'TORTURED JAPAN'

AGGRIEVED ATTITUDE.

Militarist's View Of U.S.

Economic Action. I'nited Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 28. Colonel Takeo Iwakuro, sdriser to the War Ministry, is sailing for :he United States on March 6 as a special aide to the Ambassador to America, Admiral Nomura. He will be accompanied by Colonel Kenkichi Shinjo, as a member of the Japanese Purchasing Commission.

Colonel Iwakuro. in an interview, said: "A military conflict between the United States and Japan would be one of the most stupid events that has ever occurred. The practice of bluffing by irresponsible elements, both in Japan and America, is the chief basic reason for the present critical status."'

Well-informed observers believe that Colonel Iwakuro's remarks arc offieally inspired because he is known an an adamant militarist. He asserted that even though Japan's needs of raw materials from the South Pacific are vital, he, definitely believed Japan bo-jW not resort to force, and expressed the opinion that the situation in the Far East would not lead to an open conflict unless the United States resorted to military operations "after having tortured Japan by an undeclared, economic war."

The United State* Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, says a Washington message, bad separate conferences with Admiral Nomura, Japanese Ambassador, and M. Qunianeky, Russian Ambassador. alter which Admiral Nomura said his conference was purely eocial. M. Oumansky said he expected the discussions to continue for a long time ae the agenda wae a "long one." Asked if any i{cms had been cleared up. M. Chimansky said: "Yes, the moral embargo,' , which was announced some weeks ago.