JUMPING OFF PLACE FOR JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 8

JUMPING OFF PLACE FOR JAPAN

Possible Naval Base In Annam OPPONENTS OF EXPANSION PLAN ALARMED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received February 5, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The likelihood of Japan gaining a naval base in Cam Ranh Bay, Annam, as a reward for her mediation in the Thailand-Indo-China dispute is causing concern in British, American and Chinese circles. . The Chinese insist that Japan’s moves presage an attack on Singapore. British and American diplomats admit that the moves mean that Japan will have obtained an important jumping-off place for her South Pacific expansion plans, of which the Dutch East Indies are the present goal. Well-informed circles believe that the Dutch East Indies will be able to resist a Japanese attack for only two months. Japanese militarists are convinced that the proper time to launch an offensive against the Indies would be at the time of Germany s expected all-out attack on Britain. There is no belief that Japan can be made to surrender her East Asia policy either by threats or by mildly punitive actions like embargoes. Since the embargo and threat tactics were evolved, there has been a great intensification in the ’fiotalitarianization of Japan and the militarists are in complete control.

The Tokio newspaper “Kokumin Shimbun” says it is self-evident that Japan will go forward with her fixed policy and it will not matter what attitude the Dutch East Indies takes toward Japan’s request for co-opera-tion.

A fresh development in the Far Eastern situation was a statement today by the Soviet Premier, M. Molotov, 'that he was willing to appoint representatives to discuss a trade treaty with Japan. It is believed that Japan is making an effort to clinch the German assurances regarding Soviet neutrality by the formulation of a Russian-Japanese non-aggression pact. Russia has become an extremely important factor, but the paramount factor is Germany’s mooted all-out attack on Britain. The successful repulsion of this attack would be the strongest deterrent to Japan. Japan did not care to risk war with the United States over the Japanese aspirations in Asia, said the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, at a meeting in Tokio today of the Budget Committee of the Lower House. “The situation between Japan and the United States has never been marked with greater misunderstandings than exist at the present time,” the Minister said. He added that the American nation failed to understand Japan’s real conditions and equally misunderstood Japan’s real power, and he announced his intention of redoubling his efforts to convert Americans to Japan’s point of view which was embodied in the Three-Bower Fact with Germany and Italy. It is noted today that the reaction of the United States Press to the position taken up by the Netherlands East Indies in regard to Japan’s ambitions in Asia is one of strong support. The foreign affairs expert of the ScrippsHoward chain of newspapers says that the new Japanese Ambassador .in Washington will find the United States resolutely opposed to Japanese expansion at the expense of China and the East Indies. It is announced from Melbourne that the United States Minister to Australia. Mr. Clarence E. Gauss, is being transferred to China because of his special knowledge of that country, and its customs. llis post in Australia is to be filled by Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, who is at present the United States Minister in China. The change-over has been approved by the Australian Government.

A message from Chungking says that the Chinese Government has officially approved of Mr. Gauss replacing Mr. Johnston. It is stated in the Chungking Press that Mr. Gauss will leave for China as- soon as possible. .Mr. Gauss commands widespread friendship in China.