JAPANESE TROOP MOVES CONTINUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 273, 18 November 1941, Page 7

JAPANESE TROOP MOVES CONTINUE

INTO mDO-CMUA

Chiang* Kai-shek Urges Democracies To Act

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. noon. LONDON, Nov. 17. Japanese troop transports and supply ships are arriving daily, both in Hanoi and Saigon,- reports the Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. In informed quarters it is believed that some major development will occur before the end of November. Japan is contemplating a drive in Yunnan to isolate Chungking from the other anti-aggression Powers, said Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, addressirjg th e People's Political Council. He added that he was confident that Mr. Kurusu, the Japanese Government's special envoy, now in Washington, would not be successful in his efforts to relieve United States pressure against Japan, whose only salvation consisted in accepting the democracies' peace terms.

These peace terms, said Marshal Chiang, included Japan's abandonment of aggression, withdrawal from China, including the north-eastern provinces, withdrawal from IndoChina, and withdrawal from the tripartite alliance.

Marshal Chiang told the council that preparations were complete for united defence in the Far East, and urged that the United States and Britain should smash Japan unless she withdrew from China and abandoned the Axis. "Now," he said, "is the vital moment."

Emphasising that strength lies in unity, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Quo Tai-chi, said it would be most advantageous to the A.B.C.D. Powers to declare an open alliance, especially since the Axis aggressors long ago had openly announced their alliance.

The Bangkok radio announced that the Government of Thailand has ordered the provincial governors to call up reservists between the ages of 18 and 45.

The New York Times Tokyo correspondent, Mr. Otto Tolischus, says Japan's determination to continue her present policies is evident from the report on the military situation which General Tojo rendered to the Diet as War Minister. He declared that the Japanese forces from Manchukuo to Indo-China were making strenuous efforts to crush the Chungking Government and accelerate the construction of the "East Asia coprosperity sphere," while completing all necessary preparations to meet any eventualities. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek was no longer able to take the offensive, but nevertheless further political and strategic efforts would be necessary to attain Japan's objectives' in the China campaign.

"The danger to Australia in the Pacific is very, very great," said the Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin. "No Australian knows when we may be called upon to defend ourselves."