PESSIMISM DEEPER IN JAPANESE PRESS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 286, 3 December 1941, Page 7

PESSIMISM DEEPER IN JAPANESE PRESS

SOME FIERY TALK

Departmental Changes Stress Food Question

United Press Association.—Copyrig-ht.

Rec. noon

TOKYO, Dec. 2,

The Japanese vernacular newspapers publish under banner headnes reports that British troops are massing in Burma, and other reports or tne declarations of a state of emergency in the Netherlands East Indies, Malaya and Hongkong.

At the same time mounting pessimism is editorially expressed regarding the outcome of the Washington negotiations. Following are some opinions so expressed:—

Nichi Nichi.—"We appreciate the government's last effort to make peace with the United States. However, it is futile to listen any more £lks" menCa ' S kyP° crit * cal peace

.. Asahi.—"We are deeply impressed tnat the negotiations are speedib' neading toward their finale, without any hope of success."

Miyako.—"For Japan to carry on conversations with the United States virtually amounts to travelling with a group of hijackers with covetous eyes on our purse."

A pro-Axis political leader, Seigo Nakano, addressing a public meeting in Tokyo, demanded that Japan resort to force, such as the sinking of American transports, if the United states refused to accept Japan's term?. He added that any compromise settlement with the United States would invite Japan's eventual downfall.

The Domei news agency says that control of the Ministry of Overseas Affairs has been transferred from

Str°t re l g h n Minister, Mr. Shigemori Togo, to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Hiroyasu Ino, because of the serious situation confronting the country and the growing importance of the food question. The Commerce Minister, Mr. Yoshiaki Hatta, has taken over the Ministry of Railways at present held by the Communications Minister, Mr. Terajima.

The Berlin radio says the Japanese Government is taking complete control of Japanese merchant and fishing fleets early in January.

According to earlier reports, virtually all the remaining Japanese in Hongkong are preparing to depart immediately. The Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies has decreed the raising of the army and air force to war strength.

The United States Navy Department disclosed that the Soviet has proclaimed as a prohibited area the sea around Vladivostok.