FAR EAST TENSION AS JAPAN MOBILISES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 172, 23 July 1941, Page 8

FAR EAST TENSION AS JAPAN MOBILISES

BASES IN ASIA Pressure On Indo-China Increases I'lnl-I IT .. A- .„•!:, ii.„:. i -..p.vri^lit. Iter. 2 |..,!i. r.OVbCi.V, July 22. . Ropoi-t . !i,,;., .|;,|»;in ftL~f. "1 f >str growing i-vul'-i ri n!' l-Ti-if(•-.-■<'iiU; mobilisation iii : i !m. i , : |in.; up of reservists. M;i.jiii--(. •■■■:•' < ::...i:.t. nn his return In ! I .■;'.:■ ... I ii'i.i-( 'ili'ut. ;.!'!it a flving \ i -it i'i 'I'i ;.>-.. conferred with lic'iii'iai I ici i, ;;:■:, I Yenrh Governor. ''"':" i'i'"i••. •. i- : n !:c\-ell to have hecii ihi " r«n I'm I with .lanane.-o deiiinii'l.- !i>r ' In- i; <• ■ 11' nuwil ami air i'a is in I i(|u-( 'liiiia. Pri is'ni.i.;. i.'. I'iiiai"' Minister of .iajian. uiiimui i-.sM.'ar.alioii cancelled i Ik? I'i '■ < ci ■ [li'erciice at which it ■.'.as o ■! m■.!.■>( |kj would outline the iliploiuai ic a,i . I t«']M iii 111 •» .hi the sharpening of li'iision over Indo-China "The Time-:" diplomaiic correspondent says ih" Ili'HJ-ii and American Gov''inniciii ; have Ihe fullest, understanding of each other's policy. The evidence -ainv.s clearly enough which way the .(aoanese Government's tiiind is at present turning. Following ihc Uilinnai i.in of the Foreign .Mini icr. Admiral Toyoda. of Japan's adlicrencc to the tripartite pact, the I'nited Pic-;; correspondent says Ihc Japan l c I're-N ])rcdicts prompt and active -lens to solve Japan's three m 0..! pre.-.sing foreign problems: Mi Uriiish-American encirclement in Souihern Asia; i 2) settlement, of Mm China affair: 13) preparations for any eventualities resulting from a possible Russian collapse. Jans Called l''> in China The army spokesman in Shanghai, Akiyama, admitted that Japanese reservist,-, living in China had been called up. but said this was merely for (raining. Tim entire Japanese force in China did not exceed onesixth of the number of German I roups engaged in Europe; therefore ihc training of reservists wad necessary. The Tokyo Information Board spokesman. Viscount Ishii, said Admiral Toyoda on Saturday night saw llie Gorman Ambassador, Ott, and the Italian. Indelli. He "clearly explained Japan's foreign policy, saying, 'We continue to uphold the spirit and aim of the Tripartite Pact.'" The Singapore radio categorically denied Japanese reports that Britain was contemplating some form of unspecified action in Indo-China, and said the bogy of British intervention may be used to justify new Japanese demands against IndoChina. Vichy is exerting strong pressure' on General Decoux, out it is Hoped he may be able to resist. 1 America's Attitude Mr. Ralph Ingersoll, editor of the newspaper "P.M.," interviewed at Singapore on. his arrival from Moscow, was of the opinion that any hostile move by a totalitarian Power against Singapore or any other country in this part of tne world would be regarded as a hostile move against America. He did not think America would let anyone else except Americans move into Singapore. The Domei (Japanese) news agency has announced the appointment of Mr. Xumaichi Yamamoto as vice-Foreign Minister. Mr. Honda, the Nanking Ambassador, has withdrawn his resignation. When the Japanese newspapers declare the new Japanese Government brings no change of policy they seem to be writing the truth, says the diplomatic correspondent of "The Times/' Before Prince Konoye resigned last week, much evidence coming to Britain suggested that japan was planning to take over naval and air bases in French IndoChina. After Prince Konoye returned to power with "a stronger Cabinet," the evidence has pointed more clearly toward action very soon. Movements of troops and warships confirm the diplomatic and political evidence. The Hanoi correspondent of the Domei agency "says Britain, which has been maKing efforts to prevent Indo-China and Thailand from exporting key materials to Japan, after ihc opening of a branch of tne economic oureau at Singapore, is submitting through the Minister to Thailand, Sir Josiah Crosby, certain economic demands on Thailand. It is believed, says the report, that the United States is co-operating with Britain, and has submitted similar demands.