JAPANESE CABINET RESIGNS EN BLOC

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 167, 17 July 1941, Page 7

JAPANESE CABINET RESIGNS EN BLOC

STRONGER NEEDED "Gesture" Against Soviet Expected Soon

CniW Pr r ss Association.—Copyright. Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, July 16. It is officialh announced in Tokyo that the Cabinet has resigned en bloc. The Cabinet, it i.s stated, decided to make way for a stronger one to deal with the present international siniaiinn. Prince Konoye's Cabinet will remain in office under Imperial guidance until a newCabinet is formed. The Kmperor and the Empress have cancelled their vacation and are returning immediately to Tokyo.

It is believed in Washington that Japan will make at least a gesture towards the north against Russia, and a more active move southward, though with strict limitations.

Russia has notified Japan that three zones of the Sea of Japan, one at the Kamchatka Peninsula between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, have become dangerous for navigation.

The "New York Times" Shanghai correspondent says that Japan is marking time as she wants to join the winning side. Cabinet was said to be facing a crisis because of disputes over the most profitable course. The Government opponents believe that Mr. Shigemitsu, former Ambassador, returned from London to succeed Mr. Matsuoka as Foreign Minister, and to institute a new policy whereby Japan would withdraw from South China and open the Pearl and Yangtse Rivers to foreign trade. Japan would maintain only small garrisons in Shanghai, Nanking and Hankow, but would keep a dominant position in North China. The Shigemitsu group believes that it can interest Britain in this scheme. Japan would then turn her attention to eastern Siberia. Attempt China Settlement The influential Tokyo "Diplomatic Review," which is supported by the Foreign Office, urges the Government to attempt to settle the "China affair" on the basis of national policy alone. It declares that the "incident" should not become involved in the world war.

Meanwhile, Chungking remains watchful. Most of China's huge army would continue fighting tinder any leadership as long as it was antiJapanese. Mr. Quo Tai-chi, Foreign Minister and formerly Ambassador in London, said Chungking would not sign even an American negotiated peace settlement. The Sino-Japanese war must be part of a world-wide post-war settlement. He added that no attempt had been made by Germany to settle hostilities between China and Japan.

The Washington correspondent of the "Asahi" says the Japanese Embassy protested to the United States against oppressive measures taken against Japanese ships. The Norfolk Maru, it is alleged, was detained unduly before clearance, necessitating Embassy intervention. Another Japanese ship was held up at Boston, although vigorously searched by coastguardsmen. It is further alleged that other ships have been detained unwarrantably.

REPEATED ATTACKS On Embassy Building At Chungking japan expresses regret Rec. 9.30 a.m. LONDON. July 16. The recent bombings of the British at chun gking were the subject of questions in the House of r-n5 o ns yesterday. The Foreign c r e L ary ' Mr - R - A - Butler, stated that the Embassy was bombed nf thi ne : ? ncl Duri ng the last inJr«vf- e a number of British u. n-1 ese members of the Embassy staff suffered injuries. Mr. Butler added that in response p„v,l e , pi^sentations made by Sir in tvl aig '°, British Ambassador wasfa °i" an . cx P rcKs i°n of regret laiai, on Jul - V 1 by the th£?.mh e .. Mini ster for Marine hls senior adjutant, and a?fa!si? W( ? re g' ven that the arwK was . unintentional. However, Tnhr f 1 " B u nous attack took place on JSLj wll en the destruction of the building was completed, injury Slaff csca P ecl further

the Jhese repeated attacks tho ill Government instructed forr*M assador in Tokyo to make a ewn # p ,u ote s t ancl P° mt out that, f e first attacks were accitairAn * no care c °uld have been iISSLto Prevent a recurrence. Sir a Craigle accordingly presented vlii SufiH? n ? le of protest to the Tnlv in j 1 " for orf 'ign Affairs on oral a supported it bv further represent ftions. The viceMrnill e ?P'"Pssed great regret at ornS i 9 V IIS lat - c ' sf ' attack and circumsf cr examination of the

drastic rationing foodstuffs in japan R %h U ' 3o am- TOKYO, July 16. nounporj mc j news agency ansusar nliH such as rice, more oil - will be even ratinnort i lc y controlled and rationed m the future. naval precaution MANILA BAY MINED Pm ' MANILA. July 16. tonces"tn ynn .? l, 0°Pd that the enSubic Bav wfi'i K B , ay and nearby davlicht be dangerous after contort «J2 r . ow on account of s i ng sown - In future Bav Si k and ent, 'ance to Manila light hi,,!? Permissible only in day~P rivat e craft will be ar ea of Subf<f Bayf fr ° m the naVal grim war toll CHINESE IN SHANSI R Pm " NEW YORK, July 16. south.taifl? °t, ttle population of been ivftwf" .' S . han . si Province has by etarvif 01 in 1e f GW weeks in# tft n and Pestilence, accordGeorge received from Mr. in ohi,," °8g- American relief worker r Sf;or( *"-<1 earth tactics '-counted ior most. deaths.