JAPANESE THREAT TO BURMA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23269, 4 March 1941, Page 7

JAPANESE THREAT TO BURMA

SUGGESTED ENTRY* OF CHINESE TROOPS STATEMENT BY ARMY SPOKESMAN (UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—-CQPTEIOHT.) (Received March 3, 11.45 p.m.) HONG KONG, March 3. Reuter reports that an open threat to carry the war into Burma in the event of Chungking Government troops entering Burma was uttered by a spokesman of die Japanese Formosan Army to-day.

The spokesman said that such action by Chungking would signify actual British interference in the ChineseJapanese conflict. Britain, he added, would be digging her own grave if she attempted to defend Burma with Chungking troops. Burma would become a battlefield. The Japanese would trap and crush the combined British and Chinese forces and would permanently close the Burma route. A Japanese spokesman at Canton declared yesterday that the Japanese occupation of Tamshui and other points near Hong Kong early last month had resulted in the complete halting of supplies from Hong Kong to the Chinese in the interior. ‘‘Wide economic repercussions were felt, not only in Chungking-controlled territory, but in Hong Kong and Shanghai," he said.

The Chinese Central News Agency reports that 400 Japanese officers and men were killed on February 25 when a troop train ■ struck Chinese land mines on the Canton-Kankow railway near Laipoing. A meeting of Methodist missionaries in Japan decided to evacuate all missionaries from Japan, Korea, and North and Central China, because of inability to obtain funds from the United States.

DEBATE ON U.S. AID BILL

PROTEST AGAINST STONEWALLING (Received March 3, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 2, Senator William H. Smathers took the unusual course \of publishing in advance the speech he expected to deliver in the Senate on Saturday on the Aid to Britain Bill, because of stonewalling by opponents of the bill with long and repetitious speeches. Senator Smathers’s speech will now be given on Monday. “It seems a shame that when every man, / woman, and child in America knows that this; bill, is going to pass, and every senator knows how he is going to vote, we should make this great Senate a mere debating society, week after week, thus delaying the most important legislation,” he said. “It almost proves that Hitler’s contention is right—that democracy is unworkable. It is deplorable that a little band of evil men can gang up on democracy and defeat those* working for democracy.” He pointed out that while Administration supporters had taken 14 hours, their opponents had talked for 40 hours. Senator G. P. Nye spoke for 10 hours.

BETTER SHIPPING UNLIKELY

BRITISH EXPORTS AND DOLLAR CREDITS LONDON, March 2. Better shipping facilities for < Aus-, tralia and New Zealand at present are unlikely. Apart from the considerations of . available tonnage, sterling balances are irrevocably involved where Australian and New Zealand imports from the United Kingdom are concerned. This was demonstrated during the week by a number of developments, including the introduction of a licensing system for exports to Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. The United Kingdom needs to use every ounce of available exports for building up dollar credits in the United States.

The “Financial Times,” endeavouring to build up the case for maintenance of intra-Empire trade, says: “Exports from Britain to the Dominions may be equally as valuable as foreign exports, because to obviate the necessity of the Dominions using vital dollars, Britain bought large quantities of Empire goods which must be paid for. The ’Dominions do not want to pile up balances in London indefinitely.” This touches the question of repatriating the Dominions’ loans, which London financial commentators still- insist is a .very real possibility in stocks carrying 4 per cent, or higher interest, and optionally redeemable between 1940-45. Australian and New Zealand loans amounting to about £100,000,000 come within such a category. The “Financial Times” says: "Britain would be better advised to ship goods to the Dominions rather than to call up their securities.” -

However, nothing at present promises any increase in shipping. The recent announcement doubling the butter ration is believed to be caused more by the position of margarine supplies than by an increase of nutter imports from the Dominions.

HISTORIC BRITISH BUILDINGS

PRESERVATION AFTER DAMAGE IN RAIDS (bbitish official wireless.) RUGBY, March 2. Steps are being taken by the Ministry of Works to secure proper treatment of historic buildings damaged in air raids. Local architects with special knowledge of historic buildings in their districts have been chosen in consultation with the Royal Institute of British Architects to assist and advise local authorities before and during the work of demolition and removal of debris.

The aim will be. to avoid wherever possible the demolishing of damaged historic structures, and to retrieve valuable fragments and fittings such as panelling, fireplaces, and carved beams. These • activities will not be permitted to interfere with rescue work or the restoration of essential services. The buildings to. be watched by local experts include not only castles and mansions, but also many less known houses, some, of them still occupied, in older cities and towns, which are extremely valuable examples of architecture.