JAPAN'S BLUNDER

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 80, 1 October 1940, Page 7

JAPAN'S BLUNDER

SIGNING OF AXIS PACT

VIEW IN LONDON

SINGAPORE'S FUTURE

LONDON, September 30.

Political commentators and diplomatic circles are of the opinion that Japan blundered when she signed the new pact with Germany and Italy, i committing herself as a supporter of! and sympathiser with the desperado aggressor Powers which have been doing their utmost to divert America's attention from Europe by creating such a threat in the Far East as Japan's signature carries. Generally the hope is expressed that the policy of appeasement that has hitherto been adopted towards Japan j will be speedily buried. It is recognised, however, that before this can be done much will depend on the in-; tentions and actions of the United States, with which the British Government is working with ever-increasing accord. ! Authoritative circles in London will j not be surprised if decisions are reached in Washington very soon regarding the future use of the Singapore base—decisions which it is believed the American naval command would favour. The foothold which Japan has gained in Indo-China is regarded as having challenging implications. Japan has in her hands there ports and aerodromes which she is busily stocking with ships and aeroplanes in preparation for a sea and air offensive. Moreover, she has a great prize in Tongking Bay, which lies athwart the British sea line of communications, 'enabling her to concentrate on Thailjand, which overhangs Singapore from I the north.