JAPAN’S MOVES

Evening Star, Issue 23816, 21 February 1941, Page 7

JAPAN’S MOVES

FAR EAST UNEASINESS V BRITAIN NOT IMPRESSED BY MEDIATION OFFER THREE-POWER PACT A DANGER Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 19. It is authoritatively stated in London that the Japanese offer of mediation showed little knowledge of the conditions Japan’s Axis partners had produced in Europe, and took no account of the determination of the British, often voiced by Mr Churchill, to fight without compromise for the defeat of Hitlerism. ‘The Times’ says: “The Japanese assurances must necessarily bo interpreted in the light of Japanese actions, which nobody regards as reassuring. The main cause of uneasiness in the Far East is the Three-Power Pact, which was everywhere construed as a threat against the United States if she persisted in helping Britain. The Japanese actions in Thailand and IndoChina, and the pressure which Japan is obviously using against the Dutch Indies have intensified the uneasiness.” It is reported from Bangkok that 15 Japanese warships are at present cruising in the Gulf of Siam. Hongkong passengers said that last week 15 units of the Japanese fleet were seen rounding the Indo-China Peninsula south of Saigon, heading towards the gulf. Meanwhile it has been learned that the Dutch Legation on Sunday advised citizens to evacuate Thailand. “ PEACEFUL EXPANSION " STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR LONDON, February 19. A message from Washington states thattho Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, iu an interview, said he believed Japan and the United States could avoid war provided the United States did not take the initiative in fighting. Since his arrival in the United States he had found the atmosphere worse than ho expected, but he did not believe it to be as bad as was represented by the Press. He claimed that Japan merely sought peaceful economic expansion and had no intention of seizing territories.J SINGAPORE REINFORCEMENTS JAPANESE COMMENT TOKIO, February 19. A Government spokesman characterised the Australians’ landing at Singapore as “ another British demonstration ” designed to create the impression that the F’ar East situation is very critical. He said the British were needlessly and excessively nervous, whereas the situation, as the Information Bureau spokesman, Mr Ishii, pointed out on Tuesday, does not warrant alarm while the British are free to move troops anywhere on their own territory. In the event of an attempt to menace Japan, then Japan’s attitude would be firm. “ Japan has done nothing to receive warnings from any Power,” he said. “ Our policies, including the southwards region, are entirely peaceful.” A Japanese spokesman at Shanghai declared that Britain’s moves at Singapore were part of the British-American plan to strangle Japan, which will be countered with appropriate measures. The spokesman did not amplify the statement beyond hinting that Japan intended to speed up the Thailand mediation. PACIFIC BASES AMERICA'S DECISION RESENTED BY JAPAN TOKIO, February 19. The general reaction here to the Washington decision to strengthen the defences of Guam and Samoa is that it represents .part of the Anglo-Ameri-can plans to intimidate Japan, which is certain to aggravate Japanese and American relations, in connection with which it is felt that the United States will be solely responsible in the event of worse developments arising. The Spokesman said: “ It is natural that the Japanese will bo concerned about more American defences near Japan,” and he asked when had Japan declared that she would attack the southern regions, including Singapore. “ I think the Japanese people are getting tired of such irresponsible statements abroad.” It is understood that Tokio's American school is terminating its 40 years of activity in June, when the term ends. The present'enrolment is 76, of whom 10 arc Americans, contrasting witli the normal 200. The American school is the last of the British and American‘managed schools throughout Japan. [Guam is the largest of the Ladrone or Marianne Islands, in the North Pacific. Plans to develop it as an air, submarine, and destroyer base were considered by the American Congress two years ago,]