Late News SHARP TONE IN TOKIO PRESS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 260, 30 July 1941, Page 8

Late News SHARP TONE IN TOKIO PRESS

Fighting Economic Front SOUTHWARD AIM (Received July 30, 12,25 a.m.) , LONDON, July. 29. It is officially stated in Hanoi that the Japanese troops’ occupation has started on the Annam coast at an air base. The Government announced that it has agreed to turn over eight air bases to Japan, including Tourane and Nhatrang (on the Annaln coast), Soctrang (Cochin China), Bienhoa and Tansonnhut (Saigon area), Siemreap' ’and Pnompenh (Cambodia) and Kompontrach (south-west coast).

It is learned in London .that the United States Administration expects that loopholes in. the economic front against Japan will be .closed by the Latin American countries taking action parallel with the United States. Though the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Welles, in a statement said that these countries were free to act iu any way they deemed advisable. It is known that Washington officials are developing a plan for a co-operative policy, and this will prevent Japan from importing from South America goods which she is unable to obtn.u from the United States and elsewhere. “Smash Evil Dream.”

The Tokio “Asahi Shimbun” interprets tlie Netherlands East 1 Indies’ action in freezing of Japanese assets as undisguisingly rejecting Japan s proposal for co-operation and also as Dutch participation in the encirclement of Japan. It say§:. “Japan must now leave nothing undone in order to cope with the immediate issues arising from the Dutch action and at the same •time undertake to smash the evil dream of Dutch authorities wearing the skin of the British lion and the feathers of the American" eagle to defy’ Japan.” , .... The “Hochi Shimbun” declared: It should be thoroughly borne in mind by hostile countries such as Britain, the United States and the Netherlands East Indies that accomplishment of Japan’s South Sea sphere is an historical and absolute task, for the attainment of which Japan is firmly and immutably determined "to break through any disturbances.” The' “Hochl” urges calm reflection on the part of the nations concerned of the evil influences of their attitude toward Japan. Non-committal over Thailand. The "Miayaka,” asserting that the war is spreading eastward, said that the United States is resorting to threats to Japan without taking “direct action,” because, first, she is not fully ready to fight Japan, and secondly, she thinks a bluff still can be played to Japan.” Japan today froze assets of the Dutch Government," the Dutch East Indies and Hong Kong.-The;spokes-man of the’lnformation Board, Mr. Ishii, said’that ’ Nanking would likewise freeze the assets. -• A 'r ’

He added that he was unable to disclose whether Japan desired; am agreement with Thailand similar to the joint defence' pact with Indo-China. •