STAND BY CHINA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 283, 29 November 1941, Page 7

STAND BY CHINA

DEMOCRACIES UNITED Desire To Remove Aggression Paramount Rec. 3 p.m. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28. President Roosevelt, at his Press conference to-day, announced that under the existing circumstance* American merchantmen on Pacificroutes would not be armed. Asked now long he thought those circumstances would prevail, Mr. Roosevei; replied that he thought the question might better be asked in Tokyo. Asked whether there was anything he might say on the negotiations of Japan's envoys, he replied that he thought he had better not.

Mr. Roosevelt conceded that news on the negotiations had been based largely on dispatches from Tokyo, and declared that tne reason for that was the American policy of infinite patience.

The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain said it is learned on the best authority that the, current situation in the Far East is regarded as serious. America desu-es peace in the Pacific and is taking no steps that would alter the prospects of peace, but reports of unabated Japanese military activity near the Thailand border have brought new concern in the capital.

Serious View of Oqtloo^ The correspondent continued that diplomatic representatives of the other friendly powers involved — Britain. Australia, China and the Netherlands—took a similar serious view. A high authority told the Associated Press that while the Administration is seeking to remove the present aggression, the Far East is definitely aligned against an agreement with Japan which would sacrifice China's interests.

.A United Press report confirmed this view, and addea at the same tune that high Washington sources said the Japanese-American negotiations had not broken down, but the Government regards the situation as serious.

The ><ew York Times correspondent, Mr. Otto Tolischus. in a message from Tokyo, says the Cabinet discussed the American Note for nearly two hours. No decisions are announced, and no hint given owhat impression was induced. But there is, perhaps, significance in the fact that prior to the Cabinet meeting General Muto. Director of Military AfTairs, and Admiral Oka, Director of Naval Affairs, submitted the Note to a careful scrutiny, then reported to Cabinet. Press circles admit that the con tents of the American Note ar* beyond surmise, but they deduce from the circumstances attending its presentation that the United States, in the words of the Domei agency, presented Japan with a "sort of ultimatum" which, at best. wi*l bring back the negotiations to the starting point eight months ago. The Domei agency, quoting wellqualified observers, says: "This behaviour represents the favourite American tactics of intimidation anc appeasement," and points out that the presentation of a formal American document which presumable "bluntlv notifies Japan of America's determination." is the most important development so far."