THE NEAR EAST

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 198, 19 May 1941, Page 8

THE NEAR EAST

View On Japanese Policy SAFEGUARDING TRADE

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.)

(Received May 18, 9 p.m.)

TOKIO, May 17.

Commenting on developments in Syria, "Yomiuri Shimbun" declares: "The Near East must not be trampled or oppressed as a mere stage in the battle between European Powers for supremacy. Japan must watch Near East developments with the greatest care, because of the overwhelming predominance of Japanese trade in the Near East. European countries tend to believe that the Near East is part of Europe, but it belongs to the Asiatics.” The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, and the Minister of War, Lieut.-General Tojo, attended a luncheon honouring German, Italian, and Russian ambassadors today. Prince Konoye, toasting the Tripartite Alliance, said that German Italian and Russian goodwill made .Mr. Matsuoka’s European Lour successful. Authorities representing six of the largest cities met to discuss Japan’s aerial defences. Newspapers said that special attention was paid to defending factories and urban areas. Major Shozo Nakamura, head of the Information Section, said today that Japanese troops had extended over a huge front to prevent the Chinese from obtaining substantial material aid from the United States or Britain. He asserted that Japanese forces occupy a massed front on the Kwantung coast in south China through central and north China to Inner Mongolia. Britain Charged.

The “Nielli Nichi Shimbun” charged the British Government with an "inhuman attempt” to disturb Japan’s foodstuffs policy by ordering natives in the west Pacific Islands not to sell copra which the Japanese had contracted to purchase at JOO yen. a ton. The "Yomiuri Shimbun” asserts that the trade talks in Java are at the crossroads because the Dutch are showing little sincerity, due to their belief in tin ultimate British victory. The “Yomiuri” says: "Japan expects only economic co-operation, consequently Java should follow the example of Thailand and Indo-China and recognize Japan as the leader of the East Asia co-prosperity sphere." The spokesman of the Information Board, .Mr. Ishii, said that the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoko, and the Japanese Minister to Nanking, Mr. Honda, had' reached an agreement on policy in China, both being in favour of bolstering up the Nanking Government and also rejecting mediation by a third Power, including the United States and ■ Germany, in relation to hostilities between Japan and China. The Chungking newspaper “Central News” reports that rhe Japanese suffered a disastrous defeat in the Hupeh Province, with 10,009 men killed or captured during JO days’ fighting. It is claimed that the Japanese were driven back to their bases in north, central and western Hupeh, from which the offensive began on May 5. According to a Shanghai message, the Japanese Official Spokesman, Mr. Akiyamtr. said that the Chinese Fifth Army had sustained heavy losses in the recent fighting in Southern Shansi Province. The generals and their staffs of five Chinese divisions had been killed and 120.000 troops trapped. FUTURE HITLERS Need For Strong Navy Seen NEW YORK, May 10. The Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, addressing a graduating class at the naval college at Newport today, said : “We intend to maintain the right of ever improving the lot of the common man, even though we waste our substance in wars defending its maintenance.

“Even when Germany is defeated there may be another Hitler 20 years lienee if Hie world again relinquishes its policing power. The war of 191118 was not a war to end war, and it would be foolish to suppose that this one will be any different. It is the responsibility of all of us to see that in tlie fill lire the navy is never allowed to decline.”

In an interview, Colonel Knox was asked whether selective service men would be used for expanding the navy’s manpower. He replied: “We cannot make sailors in a single year, but. if an emergency need arises we’ll use them.' Asked if be would ensure the delivery of materials to Britain, lie said: '■'The answer is a definite 'Yes.'" Asked what the method of insurance would be. Colonel Knox replied: “Use your head. In the last war there was only one menace, the submarine. This time there are three, the submarine, surface raider, and aeroplane.”

The navy has announced a six weeks' drive to recruit 35,000 men who are needed for new warships which are bej’ng completed ahead of schedule, and has raised the age limit for reservists to 50. The total naval personnel nt present is 227,000. The commissioning of the battleship Washington raises the battleship strength of the United States Navy to 17.