SOUTH SEA AREAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 30, 3 August 1940, Page 12

SOUTH SEA AREAS

NO DETAILS YET

OTHERS BESIDES INDIES

TOKIO, August 2,

The spokesman of the Foreign Office (Mr. Suma), when questioned regarding the meaning, of a "greater East Asia" in the- Foreign Minister's statement yesterday of Japan's national policy, replied: "I can definitely say it includes the South Sea areas. However, concerning an enumeration of the districts to be included in that expression I cannot say at present." Asked if the Philippine Islands were included in the "South Seas," Mr. Suma j replied: "I must postpone an enumeration of the areas till a later date." Further questioned, he'replied; "The Dutch East Indies do not comprise all the South Seas areas. There are other regions." : "HOTBED OF ESPIONAGE." The "Asahi Shimbun" says the Japanese gendamerie authorities are indignant over the "fabricated versions" given by British Embassy officials of the case of the journalist, Mr. Cox. It says the Embassy is open to suspicion that it is a hotbed of British espionage in Japan. The "Nichi Nichi Shimbun" says it is doubted whether the British will easily enforce the reported retaliatory threats such as the arrest of Japanese residents in England, abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, withdrawal of the Ambassador from j Tokio, or reopening the Burma Road,1 because of the present international situation. !

The former Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Shiratori, visited the Premier, Prince Konoye. The Press conjectured that he might be appointed to the post of assistant to the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka.