STAGE SET

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1941, Page 7

STAGE SET

TOKIO OPINION

U.S. ENTRY TO WAR

MORE DANGER THAN IN 1917

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received January 17, 10 a.m.)

TOKIO, January 16. The "Asahi Shimbun," in a leading article, says: — "The Lusitania affair led the United States to participate in the last European war. Two years intervened between the outbreak and the participation, but the present situation is more charged with danger of an immediate explosion on account of the stage having been perfectly set.* If a single match is set, all will burst into flame." • "Although it is apparent that the prime objective of the United States is to assist Britain, it is also taking up the cudgels on behalf of the democracies in their fight against the . totalitarian Powers. In this grandiose task of its own the United States includes even Asia and Australia within its sphere of activity and undertakes to extend assistance to China and Greece as well. The fact should not be overlooked that the United States have been conducting latent, behind the scene diplomatic manoeuvrings with the object of assisting Britain in obstructing the Axis." The "Yomiuri Shimbun" says: "If the Lend or Lease Bill passes Congress unrevised then Congress, which has power to declare war, would have openly challenged the Axis., We should be sufficiently prepared as a partner in the Axis for all possible developments/ CHORUS OF CONCERN. The leading newspapers raise a unanimous chorus of concern regarding the drift of developments in southeastern Asia. Alleging Anglo-American "manoeuvres" to dominate Indo-China and Siam and block Japan's prosperity in that sphere, the "Hochi Shimbun" warns those countries to be on their guard. The Press views the reports of a resumption of commerce between France and Indo-China as evidence of a secret understanding with Britain. The "Asahi Shimbun" says that badly needed goods are pouring into Haiphong via Macao from Hong Kong. It is felt that Britain is operating behind the Indo-China Government; at least "no such thing is possible without IndoChina's co-operation with Britain." In an effort to drive home to the Japanese people the mounting danger of a conflict in the Pacific in consequence of "increasingly overt American hostility towards Japan, Germany, and Italy," the -National Service Association is launching a series of lecture meetings throughout the country. The Government's information board will assist the movement to rally public opinion in support of the Government's determination to attain the goal of establishing a new order in East Asia, regardless of the sacrifices which such a course would require.