ENCIRCLING MOVES WORRYING JAPAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 180, 1 August 1941, Page 7

ENCIRCLING MOVES WORRYING JAPAN

OIL PROBLEM

American Opinion Reacts To Bombing Of Gunboat U.P.A. ana Itritlfll Wire!.-.--. Rcc. 1 p.m. LONDON, July 31. The oil problem dominates the Japanese political scene, according to the "New York Times" Tokyo correspondent. The Commerce Ministry's fuel bureau has reported to Cabinet that Japan has enough oil stored to last for some time, but if oil supplies are cut off Japan will have to act with great determination. The Tokyo Press, shaking off its restraint, sees Batavia's action, in conjunction with the assumption by the United States of control of the Philippines forces, as pan of an encirclement of Japan by an alliance of the I'nitcd States. Britain. China and the Dutch East Indies, and declares that Japan must break the encirclement, by even more determined efforts to construct a sphere of self-sufliciency. enclosing China, lndo-China and Thailand. The construction of such a sphere is regarded as Japan's divine mission. Congressional and popular support for President lloosevelt's foreign policy unquestionably has been strorijTllioncil by the bombing of the U.S. gunboat Tutuila at Chungking, states a Washington report. Kvtcnri Military Service in U.S.A. The ' House of Representatives Military Affairs Committee has approved a resolution similar to the Senate's favouring extension of military service. Last week the situation over the measure was causing political leaders considerable coni cern. To-day its passage seems assured. The Commerce Department at ' Washington" announced to-day that I Japan had su>pended trade with the I Panama Republic , since the United Stales had not permitted Japanese .-hips to traverse the canal, ostensibly because canal repairs were in

The Office? 'if Production Management has recommended the priority manufacture of jo.ooo steel drums to he used fur shipping aviation petrol to 11u.5.-ia.

"Fait Accompli" in Imlo-China?

British newspapers profess to see little sign that ihi; hope of Mr. Anthony Kden. Foreign Secretary, j will he fulfilled "that those responsible for i'ie destinies of the Japanese Kmpire will act while there is y-t time where their present foreign policy is leading them." A Japanese Foreign oiliec statement, that American Press comment is detrimental to the ■■opportunities and harmonious understanding hetwecn Japan and America, now that French and Japanese joint defence is an accomplished fact/" is regarded as an endeavour by the third Axis partner to apply the technique hitherto succcsstully exploited by Hitler, of relvin.tr upon the democracies to acquiesce in a fait accompli, thus allowing ample time for preparation for further apgression.