“NO DETERIORATION”

Evening Star, Issue 23811, 15 February 1941, Page 11

“NO DETERIORATION”

AUSTRALIAN MINISTER'S COMMENT WAR CABINET NOT MEETING BEFORE TUESDAY SYDNEY, February 14. Yesterday’s sensational happenings in connection with the War Adv’.sory Council had a rather dull sequel today, .when, following a meeting of the 'Australian War Cabinet, Mr Fadden issued a statement saying the international situation had not deteriorated, and it did not appear necessary for the War Cabinet to meet again before next Tuesday, when it would reassemble in Melbourne. Mr Fadden earlier in the day said that warnings had been regarded as necessary so that everyone might be seized with the need for placing the interests of the nation first. Although the latest cable messages disclosed no deterioration of the position, it must be recognised that it was “ most serious.” Mr Fadden added that during discussions to-day the chiefs of. staffs of the services were present for consultation, ‘‘and it was my pleasure to extend an official welcome to Sir Robert Brooke-Popham. ” Mr Fadden appealed to the Australian people. to concentrate upon their normal work, to discount rumours, and to await official announcements upon any subject relating to war from the Government. Mr Fadden refused to comment on the American and Japanese cablegrams, which stated that there was no information in those countries of new moves in the Pacific, nor would he give any specific reasons in support of bis recent repeated warnings of the events which threaten danger to Australia. Mr J. Curtin, interviewed after the meeting of the War Cabinet this evening, said that the Labour members were in thorough agreement with the warning and the pronouncements of the Government. The array, navy, and air chiefs are returning to Melbourne to-night, and Mr Fadden and Sir Robert BrookePopham will remain in Sydney until Monday night. In the meantime the members of the War Cabinet remain on call in the event of the international situation becoming worse.

“ NOTHING WILL HAPPEN ”

REASSURANCE FROM JAPANESE SPOKESMAN LONDON, February 14. In Tokio, a Government spokesman took a reassuring line, ami said that in his personal view nothing would happen. Asked to comment on the statement made by the Acting Prime Minister of Australia, he said that Japan was anxious to maintain and increase her peaceful relations with Australia. As a matter of fact, the first Japanese Minister to Australia would leave on February 28 to take up his post.