U.S. FORCES IN CHINA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23482, 10 November 1941, Page 5

U.S. FORCES IN CHINA

MARINES MAY BE WITHDRAWN

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S STATEMENT

(Received November 9, 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 8. President Roosevelt, at a press conference, said the United States was considering the withdrawal of marine detachments from the China stations at Peiping, Tientsin, and Shanghai, but he declined to elaborate his statement. The United Press says that orders have already been issued to commanders in the Far East to prepare for the immediate evacuation of American marines from China. The Manila correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that it is reliably reported that Mr Kurusu during his stay at Manila said Ke had not much hope of success in his Washington mission, because apparently he felt he was unable to offer the United States sufficient concessions. The “New York Times” says this idea is supported by competent Americans who have recently arrived in Manila from Japan. They said Mr Kurusu undoubtedly was armed with some talking points, but probably they would . not be sufficient, because Japanese nationalism is so strong that Tokyo would be unable to recede substantially from its present position on the continent of Asia. According to a message from Tokyo, the vernacular press is giving promience to the Japanese /protest to Panama on restrictions on Japanese in the Canal Zone. “Asahi,” blaming the United States, said the action was outrageous and inhuman, and absolutely unprecedented in international history, “Kokumin”' says the restrictions might become a political issue between Japan and the United States. “In the event of a Japanese-American war our loyal and brave navy would not have trouble in blocking up the Panama Canal,” says the newspaper. Addressing' Mr Roosevelt, it adds: “Where is the justice in such a racial discriminatory measure when the United States champions humanity’s freedom and equality?” The Panama correspondent of the “New York Times” says the Government of Panama has refused to consider the Japanese protest because it was phrased in insulting terms and constituted an intervention in the internal affairs of the nation. The Mayor of New York (Mr La Guardia), who has returned from a visit to Washington, said: “Conditions in the Far East are really alarming and any movement now by Japan concerns us very vitally. That is somer thing which makes everything else seem rather unimportant, The State Department is handling the matter very masterfully, but we have no cause to be unconcerned."

CRITICISM OF MR CHURCHILL

CONSTITUTION OF WAR CABINET

(Received November 9, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, November 8. “Mr Churchill’s great qualities of leadership are as evident as ever, but the people are beginning to feel his great gifts end in words, not deeds,” said Mr T. L. Horabin, a Labour member of Parliament, in a speech. “He is being pulled down by the old and jaded Minister associated with disastrous policies of the past. How can the people have confidence in a Cabinet in which Sir Kingsley Wood remains? “The present Government cannot win the war because the bosses of all three parties are included in proportion to the party strength. To win the war we must have Ministers selected for their capacity, ruthlessness, and drive. Unless Mr Churchill faces the issue he will not only imperil his own position, but our chances of ultimate victory." Speaking at a meeting attended by Lord Beaverbrook at Manchester, Mr J. Hastings, of Salford, said that dead wood should be cut out of the Government, which should be prepared to sacrifice all sections of the community. “When that is done, the workers are prepared to toil and sweat in the production of armaments and then man them and shed their blood,” he added.

COMPULSORY SERVICE POSSIBLE

ORGANISING CANADA’S MANPOWER

(Received November 9. 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) NEW YORK, November 9. The Ottawa correspondent of the “New York Times” says from the week's debate in Parliament there has emerged a clear indication that Canada is moving steadily toward what is now called “compulsory selective service,” although eventually it may be given another name such as "emergency manpower organisation.” This trend was noticeable in Ministerial speeches as well as in the demands of the Opposition. It was made clear that the needs of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, and munitions production and agriculture have all reached a point where it is becoming essential that there should be proper planning and the compulsory utilisation of men and women in the services to which they are best fitted, similar to the recent compulsory stabilisation oi wages and prices.