MEDIATION OFFER

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 11

MEDIATION OFFER

DENIED BY JAPAN NEW INTERPRETATION OF ANNOUNCEMENT " MERELY GENERAL STATEMENT OF PEACEFUL DESIRE " Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, February 21. (Received February 22, at 8 a.in.) The Domei News Agency said that Mr Matsuoka, in an interview with the Japanese Press late last night, explained, as Foreign Minister, that the Japanese Government had never offered mediation to any nation in the world for the restoration of world peace. Mr Matsuoka explained that he had sent a memorandum to Mr Eden refuting the British claims that Japan sought to dominate the Far East. He emphasised that, as Japan was mediating in the Indo-China dispute, she was willing to mediate anywhere else in the world. This was merely a general statement of peaceful desire, and quite dif-. fereut from a specific offer to mediate in Europe. The ‘ Asahi Shimbun ’ said that Mr Matsuoka, while informing Britain of Japan’s willingness to mediate in any conflict, empnasised that if Britain adjusted her military preparedness and engaged in various operations on the supposition tiiat an urgent situation was inevitable in the Pacific and the South Seas, Japan would naturally be compelled to take counter-measures. Therefore, she “ desired a prudent attitude on Britain’s part.” The ‘ Asahi Shimbun,’ asserting that Mr Matsuoka’s message to Mr Eden clarified Japan’s peaceful intentions, said that Mr Matsuoka expected to seize the opportunity shortly in the ' Diet session in order to relate the circumstances under which he had despatched the Note to Mr Eden, also to acquaint the Japanese people “ with Japan’s readiness and purpose to act.” A STEADYING EFFECT AUSTRALIANS AT SINGAPORE SAFE AGAINST UNPLEASANT SURPRISES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 20. The recent strengthening of the British bomber forces in Malaya followed by the arrival at Singapore of some thousands of Australian troops, all equipped and supplied with munitions made entirely by Australian factories will, it is believed here, have a steadying effect on the situation in the Far East. ‘ The Times ’ says; “ We should now feel safe against any unpleasant surprises.” The Foreign Office spokesman’s statement in Tokio attributed the misgivings in the Far East to the ‘‘ warlike preparations of Britain and the United States to meet the supposed contingencies in the Pacific.” In view of the events of the past few months this attitude causes surprise in London, where it is recalled that Japan’s open declaration of her determination to make a drive southwards has followed close upon her action in allying herself with Britain’s enemy through the signature of the Tripartite pact. A special message now received from the Japanese Foreign Minister is being most carefully considered at the Foreign Office, and a reply will in due course be despatched. It is assumed that the terms of this communication will also be sent to the United States, where the announcement of Britain’s Singapore reinforcements has been welcomed. This is regarded as a counterpart of the precautionary measures taken in the United States possessions in the western Pacific.

BRITAIN’S POSITION CLEAR. It is understood that in the Japanese message to Britain there wore incidental references to Japan’s readiness to act as mediator, not only in Greater East Asia, but anywhere in the world. The possibility is raised in the Press that Germany may have insisted on this gesture and that an offer of Japanese mediation in the war with Germany may be contemplated. The answer to any such offer has already been given by Mr Churchill. With the approval of the entire British Empire he made it clear that peace is out of the guestion until the enemy is completely overthrown. TOOL OF GERMANY. ‘ The Times ’ says that little doubt is left that Japan is being made the more nr less willing tool of Nazi aggression, though she will naturally do her best to find some way of supporting the Axis against Great Britain, which American opinion would consider to bo outside tbe sphere of vital American interests. This is the situation calling clearly for the closest co-operation between the British and the Governments most directly concerned, and their recognition of it has been clearly shown. The ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ commenting on the mediation gesture, says it is only to be wished that Japan would show the way by restoring the . peace she has been disturbing for the past five years. AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCES SINGAPORE REGARDED AS OUTPOST LONDON, February 21. The arrival of the Australian Prime Minister, Mr 11. G. Monzies, in England has been warmly welcomed in

the Press. Prominence is given to his remarks about his recent visit to the Australian forces in the Middle East. “The Libyan campaign,” he said, “ they regard as a preliminary canter, but what they really want is a go at the Germans.” In a broadcast interview Mr Menzies ■said that Singapore was regarded as one of the outposts of Australian defence, and the action of sending troops there was not inspired by fear, but was an expression of the Australian feeling of responsibility to Singapore—a responsibility which it intended to discharge. Later, in a statement, he said that Australia’s one ambition was to maintain peace in the Pacific. “ This condition,” he said, “ suits us and suits the true interests of every Pacific Power, but in this Japan is not our ally. Japan has become involved in an understanding with Germany, and Japan to-day is not identical with the Japan of the last war.” He reiterated that Australia had no policy of aggression behind its action at Singapore.

JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN AGAINST FURTHER WAR-LIKE EFFORTS NEW YORK, February 21. (Receved February 22, at 8 a.m.) The Shanghai correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ reports that although Japanese naval squadrons continue to patrol Indo-Chinese and Thailand shores, Japanese politicians and businessmen associated with the import trade, are opposed to further warlike efforts. They are willing to accept losses in China and desire to regain the industrial prosperity attained during and after the first world war. TO BE NEAR FRENCH NAVAL BASE HALF JAPAN’S BATTLE FLEET BANGKOK, February 21. (Received February 22, at 8 a.m.) Reliable sources state that 15 Japanese naval units will bq stationed in the vicinity of the French naval base of Koh Kong during the Tokio conference. These warships comprise half the battle fleet, the other half of which is at present cruising off Saigon. “ ALWAYS VICTIMISED " JAPAN THE DOVE OF PEACE SHANGHAI, February 21. (Received February 22, at 10 a.m.) The Japanese Army spokesman, Major Kunio Akiyama, at a Press conference, said Japan was like a peace dove, but Britain and America were “ snakes, placing snakes’ eggs in the dove’s nest.” He said Japan’s reaction was to “ protest very vigorously.” The interpreter added that Major Akiyama “ means nothing unkindly when he calls Britain and America snakes.”

Major Akiyama said the snakes’ eggs included fortification of Singapore and Guam and the arrival of Australians in Malaya. He added: “ Britain and America are making an effort to impose the status quo upon Japan, whereas actually Britain and America are guilty first of breaking tjie Pacific status quo, the former when she abrogated the Anglo-Japanese alliance, and the latter when she abrogated the Japanese-American commercial treaty. Japan has always been victimised. All talk of war in the Pacific is centred on the eastern side of the Pacific, whereas in the western Pacific everyone is crying peace.” Asked whether the Japanese planned or were planning counter-measures to the arrival of the Australians in Malaya, Major Akiyama said, “ Not so far as the army is concerned.” However, the navy spokesman declined to comment on the same question so far as the navy was involved. INDO'CHINA'S FUTURE CONFERENCE OF FRENCH COMMANDERS SAIGON, February 21. (Received February 22, at 10.30 a.m.) General de Coux presided at a conference of military and naval commanders and discussed Indo-China’s military and political situation. NO DEMANDS ON THAILAND STATEMENT FROM BANGKOK BANGKOK, February 21. (Received February 22, at 9.15 a.m.) The Foreign Office denied that the Japanese were demanding military facilities of any kind from Thailand. The authorities said Thailand would resist demands of a military nature from any quarter. EXPECTED TO CONTINUE RUSSIAN AID TO CHINA SOVIET PACT WITH JAPAN UNLIKELY CHUNGKING, February 21. (Received February 22, at 9.15 a.m.) General Wang Chung-hui declared that the Russians’ aid to China was expected to continue undimiuished- He expressed doubt whether Russia would sign a non-aggression pact with Japan in the near futures