TALKS IN MOSCOW

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 11

TALKS IN MOSCOW

Russo-Japanese Trade VULNERABLE POINTS

LONDON. February 20

The Information Bureau in Tokio announced that the RussoJapanese trade conference started on February 17 in Moscow, with the Japanese Ambassador, Lieuten-ant-General Tatekawa. and the Soviet Acting-Foreign Trade Commissar. M. Kaganovich, attending, “in accordance with views reached a short time ago between Lieuten-ant-General Tatekawa and M. Molotov."

The Soviet Army organ "Red Star” comments on what is described as Japan's weak point in the war of nerves now going on with Britain and the United States. Referring to the course of Japan's military preparations and her movement southward, it says:

“Weak and vulnerable points iu these preparations were recently pointed out by the president of a Japanese metal concern who issued a reminder that Japan depends to a considerable extent on supplies of raw materials from abroad.”

The “Red Star” contrasts the statements made by Japanese diplomats and the reported activities of Japanese military authorities, and remarks that some foreign observers find a certain division between the diplomatic and military departments in Japan.