MOVES IN PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 52, 29 August 1940, Page 10

MOVES IN PACIFIC

JAPAN AND U.S.A.

IMPORTANCE OF SINGAPORE

TOKIO, August 27,

The "Kokumin Shimbun," which usually reflects the views of the War Office, said that the suspected plan for an Australian-United States Defence Board is based on fears of Japan's southward advance. It added that the United States is actively supporting an extension of the air route from Honolulu to New Zealand, the Dutch East Indies, and the British Straits Settlements. It declared that relations between Japan and America hereafter would jbe most-delicate owing to the "recent positive turn the United States has taken in its Far Eastern policy," and it gave a warning that Japan would be forced to take "defensive measures" if the United States continued an openly aggressive polipy. The "Hochi Shimbun," in an editorial, stated that the United States is attempting to ' cultivate Russia, hoping to effect a partial encirclement of Japan. "If the Americans obtain control of Britain's base at Singapore," it added, "they will gain a strong foothold on the Asiatic continent and Japan's plans in the Netherlands East Indies and French Indo-China will be reduced to the substance of an idle dream." The "Nichi Nichi Shimbun" said that Japan may have no choice but to move closer to Italy and Germany. It is reported from Rome that the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Quamau, saw the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, congratulated him on Italy's conquest of British Somaliland, and discussed the order in the Far East and Mediterranean. It was mutually agreed that Italo-Japanese relations should be strengthened: It is announced that the Japan Women's Suffrage League has voted to | disband after 16 years' existence. The decision is in conformity with the Government's plan to reorganise the national life of the Japanese on totalii tarian lines.