JAPAN’S PLANS IN SOUTH

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23111, 29 August 1940, Page 7

JAPAN’S PLANS IN SOUTH

American Counter Seen TOKYO NEWSPAPER COMMENT (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPVItTOHT ) (Received August 28. 7.10 p.m.) TOKY’O. August 28. Informed circles in Tokyo believe that the United Stales plans the formation of an Australian-American defence committee similar to the Can-adian-American organisation. The newspaper “Kokumin,” which usually reflects the views of the Jap- , anese War Office, said that the plan was based on fears of Japan's southward advance. It added that the United States was actively supporting the extension of air routes from Honolulu to New Zealand, the Dutch East Indies and the British Straits Settlements. It declared that Japanese-American relations would henceforth be very delicate because of “the recent positive turn the United States has taken in her Far Eastern policy,” and gave a warning that Japan would be forced to take “defensive measures" if the United States continued an openly aggressive policy. The newspaper “Kochi," in an editorial says that the United States is attempting to cultivate Russia in the hope of effecting the partial encirclement of Japan. “li the Americans obtain control of Britain’s Singapore base will have a strong foothold in the Asiatic Continent,” it says. “Japan’s plans in the Netherlands East Indies and French Indo-Chiha will be reduced to an idle dream.” ' , . Another Tokvo newspaper, Nichi Nichi” said: “Japan may have no choice but to go closer to Italy and Germany.” „ .. . .. It is reported from Rome that the Japanese Ambassador to Italy <Mr Eijl Amau) saw the Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) and congratulated mm on Italy’s conquest of Somaliland. They discussed the order in the Far East and the Mediterranean and mutually agreed that Italian-Japanese relations should be strengthened. It is announced that the Japanese Women’s Suffrage League has voted to disband after 16 years’ existence in, conformity with the Government s plan to reorganise national life on Japanese totalitarian lines. The Japanese Cabinet has adopted plans for the formation of a sing-® political party, and the proposals have been presented to the Emperor.