PEACE IN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 23882, 12 May 1941, Page 7

PEACE IN CHINA

JAPAN ACKNOWLEDGES VICTORY UNCERTAIN “ ARENA TOD LARGE ” AMBASSADOR TO PRESENT PLAN TO TOKIO Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, May 10. Colonel Akiyama, the Japanese military spokesman, referring to the editorial in the ‘Japan Times,’ said: “ The Japanese army cannot catch the Chinese. This continental arena is too large, but if the Chinese assume the offensive we are confident we will be able to trap and annihilate them.” The Japanese Ambassador in China (Mr Honda) is returning to Japan with a jilan based on an agreement between the army, the navy, and the Foreign Service for peace in China, says the Shanghai correspondent of the * Nichi Nichi vShimbun.’ Mr Honda, in an interview, said he had been informed 1 that Chungking wants the wholesale withdrawal of Japanese troops as a prerequisite to the opening of negotiations. Peace is only possible, however, through the strengthening of the Nanking regime, which Japan intends to do. Urging the immediate positive realisation of the Japanese southward advance policy, the noted commentator, Mr Tokutomi, iji an article in the ‘ Nichi Nichi Sliinvbun,’ declares_ that an American and Japanese collision is a foregone conclusion. He adds that it would be the height of misfortune for Japan to ignore this danger. He asserts that Washington is already so near to China that the Washington and Chungking Governments may be considered a single entity and that as far as Japan is concerned it would he nearer the truth to say that Chiang Kai-shek is fighting for America rather than to say that America was aiding Chungking, [The ‘ Japan Times and Advertiser,’ discussing the China policy editorially, abandons hope of overcoming China through force, and advocates reducing the scale of hostilities in order to promote peaceful conditions and improved trade.] PASSAGE OF TROOPS VICHY CONCESSIONS TO GERMANY MANDATED TERRITORIES INCLUDED BERNE, May 10. The Berlin correspondent of the ‘ Easier Nachrichten ’ says that Wilhelmstrasse circles hint' that Vichy has agreed to the passage of German troops through the French provinces "and mandated territories, including Syria, as a price for German concessions to Vichy. Syria, it is reported, has been “ placed at Germany’s disposal.” It is believed that Vichy also agreed to take active steps against supporters of General de Gaulle, and has approved of the passage of Germans through all Free French colonies. THE SAME SHIP AJAX AND AUCKLAND TROOPS TOOK BATTALION TO GREECE AND BROUGHT IT BACK (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, May 10. At the Battle of the River Plate the Ajax and Achilles established a bond of friendship born in adversity with ultimate success. The Ajax had an opportunity to renew acquaintance with New Zealanders when she found she had the pleasant task of taking officers and men of the Auckland Battalion to Greece. The Navy soon made the New Zealanders, embarked on a great adventure, comfortable, drinking toasts and telling stories. The battalion lived up to its reputation of making friends quickly and willingly. The Navy, down to the ship’s cat, Horsey, responded readily. After a short and memorable trip the cargo of wonderful fighting material was delivered. The Ajax reported back for new instructions, and about a month later was waiting off a lonely beach in Southern Greece on a dark and calm night which was by no means quiet, for the thunder and lightning in the hills beyond the horizon were the noises and flashes of battle. Our army, outnumbered more than 10 to 1 on the land, was subjected to unchecked and constant attack from the air and was falling back preparatory to embarking after carrying out the biggest and most successful raid on the Germans we have yet attempted. The Ajax had already heard it was to take off its old friends of the Auckland Battalion. Officers and men were anxiously peering into the gloom, trying to see if anyone was on the beach. The arrangements were complete for embarking men wlio were to become heroes. At last they appeared—the battalion forming the last organised rearguard. The Germans received such a hiding that they left the New Zealanders alone. The Auckland Battalion went aboard hungry and tired. They had only the clothes they stood in because they had discarded their personal equipment in order to save their weapons. This principal was followed rigidly. A battalion clerk came aboard with a duplicating machine donated to the battalion by patriotic funds, strapped to his back. Food, clothing, and warm drinks soon made them comfortable, and old friends gathered to talk over new stories, with Horsey, the cat, comfortably purring on a captured Nazi flag. Thus was enacted another among several episodes bearing out the complete harmony and understanding of branches of the British Imperial Forces in the Middle East.