GERMAN VIEW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 7

GERMAN VIEW

JAP.-SOVIET BREAK

Singapore Is Considered

Impregnable

United Press Association.—Copyright

Rec. 2 p.m

LONDON, July 23.

The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper "Social Demokraten" says there is no thought of war between Russia and Japan coming immediately, but it is believed Japan will "break off diplomatic relations with Russia and strengthen the forces in Manchukuo and Korea in to tie up the Soviet Far East Army, thus indirectly supporting Germany.

It is suggested that Japan might move against Singapore from IndoChina, or against the Netherlands East Indies or Burma, with the object of cutting the Burma Road. The Germans consider Singapore impregnable from the sea.

Stating that the international situation is more serious than the public understood and is rapidly worsening, says a Washington message, Mr. May, chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee, indicated that the committee would approve General Marshall's request for Congressional proclamation of a national emergency order to extend army service.

The Tokyo newspaper "Yomiuri" to-day urged the Government to take immediate steps to cope with the increasing British and American pressure on Thailand and IndoChina, "lest Thailand and IndoChina become serious danger-spots in the East Asia co-prosperity sphere."

The newspaper said British Far Eastern forces were being concentrated on the Thailand-Burma border in order to force Thailand to adopt a pro-British policy, while British and American agents in Bangkok were urging Thai politicians to overthrow the present proJapanese Government. The paper said British and American agents were similarly active in Indo-China through de Gaullist elements.