U.S. AND EASTERN SIBERIA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23415, 23 August 1941, Page 9

U.S. AND EASTERN SIBERIA

Guarantees Desired

By Japan

SHIPMENTS TO RUSSIA

(Received August 22, 11.45 p.m.)

NEW tfYPE OF SHIP

SUSPECTED

EQUIPPED WITH SILENT

ENGINE

LONDON, August 21

(U.P.A.) LONDON, August 22. In Tokyo, Mr Ishii, spokesman of the Japanese Cabinet Information Bureau, said that Japan desired American guarantees that American bombers would not be based in Eastern Siberia, but declined to discuss the subject in detail. He reiterated that Japan was gravely concerned about American shipments to Russia, and wished them not to be delivered by way of the Far East. Sir Victor Sassoon, the banker, who has arrived in London by clipper from Manila, said: “It will be sheer suicide for Japan if she starts a war in the Pacific. Her navy will be unable to operate without control of the air, which she is unable to gain. I do not think the Japanese will fight. They do not want to fight.” High British sources in Washington are extremely anxious that the people of the Empire should not fall into a false confidence that, because there is a lull ip the Far East, the position has been stabilised. It is emphasised that Japanese expansion north and south is a fixed policy, and that only the timing is variable. Japanese expansion will take place to the extent of the deterioration of the cause of the democracies against Hitler. The destruction of Russia and the invasion of Britain would be the signal for large-scale Japanese expansion, even if that meant war with the United States. Should Germany obtain control of the French Fleet, it would result in limited Japanese expansion. Japanese military authorities are inspiring and directing an anti-American campaign, reports the Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of America. More than 1700 Americans in Shanghai are facing increasingly difficult living conditions because of the restrictions imposed. Many missionaries are feeling the brunt of the persecution. Americans living in the foreign areas of Shanghai are not affected, but in Hankow foreigners must obtain permits to purchase food. There is one price for Japanese and another for foreigners. Salt, potatoes, onions, and vegetables are virtually unobtainable. Foreigners are not allowed to carry packages in the streets without a permit. Travel restrictions are very severe. One Swedish correspondent for American and British newspapers has been expelled from Hankow, and two British correspondents have been ordered to leave. All British and American press activities in Hankow have been halted by the Japanese military. Great prominence is given in Japanese newspapers to an article declaring that the joint declaration following the conference between Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt is a declaration of open hostility to Japan. . The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) yesterday refused to comment on the Far Eastern situation and said that there were no fresh developments concerning the 100 or so American citizens stranded in Japan. The Tokyo correspondent of the United Press of America says that the Japanese Nippon Yusen Line, under Foreign Office pressure, has accepted bpokings for 26 American officials by the Tutsuta Maru, sailing from Shanghai on August 28. Claim to Islands

The Tokyo correspondent of the "New York Times” states that much interest has been aroused in diplomatic quarters by Japanese maps, which are being sold on bookstalls, showing as a new Japanese possession a whole group of islands and coral reefs extending from the Spratley Islands in the west to Halfmoon Shoal, 70 miles from Palawan in the Philippines. ■ A group of island reefs which have English names on the old maps now have the Japanese name Shinnan Gonto, or New Southern Islands. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), commenting on this report, said that the United States Government would view such action with concern and would not recognise the annexation.

Japanese penetration in this group some years ago was the subject of concern by the United States Government, but the latest Japanese maps show that they are claiming further islands in the group. A Japanese Army spokesman, Colonel Mabuchi, told the press that Britain and America were no longer seeking to protect their interests in China but were using Chungking,as a scapegoat in order to attack Japan. He urged the people to give serious thought to the changing world situation and prepare to make personal sacrifices. He added that Japan’s influence to-day extended from the northern part of the continent down through Indo-China, for which reason “Japan is entitled to a big voice in the world war and no nation will be able to do anything by ignoring Japan.”

The Germans suspect that the British have a new type of ship for night landings, equipped with a silent engine, states the Stockholm correspondent of the “Daily Express.” This belief results from a swift, silent raid on the French coast near Dieppe on Tuesday night. German witnesses of that raid said that the sentries heard no sound of motors. The first alarm came when British hand grenades were bursting among the German occupying forces guarding the coast. After some firing the ships disappeared in the stormy night.