U.S. PRESSURE ON JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23414, 22 August 1941, Page 7

U.S. PRESSURE ON JAPAN

New Economic Blows Threatened

“STIFF ATTITUDE” ADOPTED

(Received August 21,10.30 p.m.)

(U.P.A.) LONDON, August 20. Since the conference between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt, the United States has adopted an “extremely stiff” attitude to Japan, says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph." The pressure on Japan it is authoritatively reported, is backed by threats of new economic blows. It seems probable that the United States will set the tone of Allied and associated diplomacy in the Far East. The “Evening Standard" says: “All the world from Timbuctoo to Tokyo must know that there will be no retreat from the British and American stand against more Japanese aggression." . . The Japanese Domei News Agency accused Britain of feverishly stirring up a crisis in the Far East. It said Britain (vas desperately engaged in maintaining the rights and interests of Thailand with traditional diplomatic adroitness while trying to let third Powers pick the British chestnuts from the fire. The Tokyo radio quoted a report from Shanghai stating that as a result of the meeting between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt two-thirds of the United States marine corps in Shanghai would be withdrawn to Manila. Foreign observers in New York believe that unless the Japanese Cabinet can announce definite gains, the army will take over the government and pursue a stronger policy, says a special correspondent of the “New York Times.” The army is definitely opposed to the present Cabinet, which is labelled a “navy Cabinet," adds the correspondent. The army contends that now is the time for action 'rather than an attempt to maintain friendly relations with America and Britain. Some circles even express the opinion that the attempted assassination of Baron Hiranuma, the Vice-Premier, may be the forerunner of other fatal attacks on leaders of the Government.

The army at present is divided. One section desires an immediate attack on the Soviet. The other section prefers a move southwards against Thailand, the Netherlands East Indies, and Malaya, declaring that such territories are richer in necessary materials and have a more congenial climate. German fifth columnists in Tokyo are egging on the army partisans." They hope to overthrow the navy Government, substitute an army Government, and bring Japan actively on to. the side of the Axis,

The Australian Minister for the Interior (Senator H. S. Foil), who has just completed a tour of the Malaya defences, gave a broadcast address from Singapore. “Anyone who is thinking of taking a crack at Singapore had better think again,” he said. “They will have a very toufh job.” Australia, he added, would make every sacrifice to keep its front door open. Freezing of Assets

The Japanese Minister for Finance (Mr S. Ogura) told the National Convention of Bankers and Financiers in Tokyo that the British and American action iu freezing Japanese assets would have little effect on the country’s economy. He pointed out that defence expenditures were going to increase. Therefore, the banks and financiers were urged to purchase Government bonds.

In London the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr Dingle Foot) further clarified the position regarding trade between Britain and Japan. Dealing with the information stated to have been communicated to the Yokohama Specie Bank as to the banking machinery it would be permitted to use in connexion with any movement of goods which might be exceptionally licensed in future, Mr Dingle Foot said it would be a mistake to regard any such communication as an “essay in appeasement.”

In the “freezing order” of July 30 as applying to Japan, the operative word was “licensed” and the position disclosed in the latest announcements represented no retreat from the statement made by the British - Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) on July 30. There was no question of a barter agreement and the guiding principles of His Majesty’s Government were: (1) British imports to and exports from Japan would be a matter of financial balance.

(2) Every application for a licence would be judged on its merits, having particular regard to British war requirements. It was emphasised that the arrangements embodying these two points involved no derogation of the “freezing order.” It was also -pointed out that any trade with Japan in the immediate future must be exceedingly limited. The freezing order, in fact, implied such a contingency.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE

TWENTY-FIRST YEAR OF SERVICE

COURAGE OF PERSONNEL PRAISED

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, August 20. Broadcasting to-night on the occasion of the coming-of-age of the South African Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Sir Quin tin Brand, himself a distinguished South African, said that an indication of the skill and courage of the members of the South African Air Force was the fact that so far 76 South Africans had received awards, and at least five had bars to their decorations.

The most individually brilliant and successful member of the South African Air Force, and, indeed, of the Royal Air Force, was Wing Commander A. G. Malan, who has been officially credited with 32 enemy aircraft destroyed and at least 20 others damaged or probables.

ESCAPE FROM PRISON CAMP

BRITISH WOMEN REACH SWITZERLAND

ZURICH, August 20.

Three British women, including a New Zealander, Miss Olga Marks, of 40 Rodrigo road, Kilbirnie, Wellington, have escaped from an internment camp in occupied France. They are at present detained in the Neuchatel prison because, it is believed, they entered Switzerland without visas. The British authorities have taken action to secure their release.

A Press Association message from Wellington says that the parents of Miss Marks were overjoyed when they were shown the cablegram announcing her escape to Switzerland. They have not heard from her since receiving a letter dated May 7, and written at Vittel, France, on May 5. She is a hairdresser, 23 years pf age, and went to Paris in May, 1939. She was interned at the time of the German occupation.

Polish Army Jn Russia.—The Polish Prime Minister (General Sikorski) has appointed General Anders commander-in-chief of the Polish Army in Russia. --Rugby August 20. ■