MIGHT WARN TOKIO

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 118, 14 February 1944, Page 5

MIGHT WARN TOKIO

Russia As Possible Mediator

1 (Received February 13, 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 12. The “Army and Navy Journal” says that in view of the progress of American arms in the Pacific, which is greatly alarming Japan, Moscow may deem it expedient as an act of friendship to warn the Tokio Government of its interests and demand that Japan seek peace with Britain and America. "Just as the Finns might be required to surrender unconditionally, so would the Japanese, and in both ease's a lessening of the harshness of the terms might be arranged, says the journal. “Now that the Tokio warlords are impressed with the inevitability ot defeat, the practical among the Japanese possibly would welcome a friendly caution from their Slavic neighbours. Recalling that the United States mediated in .the Russian-Japanese war, the journal points out that Russia is now in the position ot the United States, and perhaps one reason why Siberia is not invaded is Tokio s desire to keep open a powerful channel through which to approach Washington and London. To save themselves, the warlords may deem it expedient to seek Peace before Germany is beaten.

HOPE VANISHED

Anti-War Feeling Seen In Japan

(Received February 13, 10 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 13. Reports of conditions inside Japan reaching Washington by devious routes show that the- Japanese are receiving the minimum of food and living in dread of allied air raids and that hope of victory has vanished from the masses, says the New York “Herald-Tribune’s” Washington correspondent. Japanese newspapers attempting to rally the people’s support of the Governmental A.R.P. programme printed pictures of widespread destruction of bombed German cities. This merely resulted in a feeling of uneasiness and the first signs of anti-war feeling among the people.

U.S. SUBMARINES SINK 12 JAP SHIPS

WASHINGTON, February 11. United States submarines have sunk twelve more enemy ships in the Pacific, a Navy communique says. They were one large auxiliary vessel, two medium transports, one medium cargo ship, two large tankers, and five medium and one small freighter. The total number of Japanese ships sunk, probably sunk, or damaged since Pearl Harbour is now 584. Colonel Knox described the latest sinkings as a “pretty good bag.” Referring to the Marshalls, Colonel Knox said: “We’ve taken selected positions and will let the rest of the enemy strongholds ripen on the vine. They will eventually die of starvation on scattered islands where little food grows.”

JAPANESE REPULSED IN BURMA (British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, February 11. The Chinese in the Hukawng Valley, operating against strong resistance, cleared an enemy pocket near Taro, states a South-east Asia headquarters report. In the Tiddim area, considerable casualties were inflicted on the Japanese by our forces, who have 'been continuously in action under difficult conditions. Heavy fighting continues east of the Mayti Range. Many attacks were made by the Japanese over a wide area, but all have been repulsed with heavy casualties. Taung Bazaar was reoccupied in the face of enemy opposition. R.A.F. heavy bombers attacked Bangkok last night. Among other air operations, R.A.'IJ. and United States medium bombers attacked a Japanese headquarters five miles south-east of Maungdaw. United States fighters and fighter-bombers made a widespread attack throughout the Hukawng Valley. We did not lose any aircraft.