JAPAN WATCHING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 8

JAPAN WATCHING

EVENTS IN NEAR

EAST

INTEREST OF ASIATICS

TOKIO, May 17,

Commenting on developments in Syria, the "Yomiuri Shimbun" declares: "The Near East must not be trampled or oppressed as a mere stage in the battle between European Powers for supremacy. Japan must watch Near East developments with the greatest care, because of the overwhelming predominance ol Japanese trade in the Near East. European countries tend to believe that the Near East is part of Europe, but it belongs to the Asiatics."

The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, and the Minister of War. LieutenantrGeneral Tojo, attended a luncheon honouring the German, Italian, and Russian Ambassadors today. Prince Konoye, toasting the Tripartite Alliance, said that German, Italian, and Russian good will made Mr. Matsuoka's European tour successful.

Authorities representing six of the largest cities have met to discuss Japan's aerial defences. Newspapers said that special attention was paid to the defence of factories and urban areas.

Major Shozo Nakamura, head of the Information Section, said that Japanese troops had extended over a huge front to prevent the Chinese from obtaining substantial material aid from the United States or Britain. He asserted that Japanese forces occupy a front on the Kwantung coast in South China through central and north China to Inner Mongolia.—U.P.A.