JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 November 1939, Page 8

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

NON-AGGRESSION PACT URGED. [by CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, November 18. A message from Tokio says that the Domei News Agency states that powerful elements are urging the Government to conclude a ' non-aggression treaty with Russia regardless of British and American displeasure, because of the potential dangers of the Russian-Japanese situation. This requires immediate adjustment while British, American, and Japanese relations are secondary. The Domei Agency, adds that the talks between the Foreign Minister (Admiral Nomura)' and the'Soviet Ambassador (Mi Smetanin) are designed to. effect a fundamental readjustment of relations.

The Tokio correspondent of the United Press of America believes that the Domei Agency statement" is part of a campaign to impress Britairi and America with the necessity for a reasonable attitude towards Japan’s aspirations arid to harden Japanese nerves for strained American and Japanese relations, which are foreseen if the American-Japanese treaty, recently abrogated by the United States, is not replaced. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” states that nothing authoritative confirms impressions that the United States is contemplating protecting the interests of third powers in the Far East. A belief that Mr. Roosevelt will encourage Congress to impose an economic embargo on Japan is at present unwarranted.

It is doubtful whether the United States attitude as a result of the intensification of Japan’s campaign in China will force Japan into the arms of Russia. It is realised that Russia afntl Japan may reach economic understandings, but an alliance is not expected. AMERICAN POLICY. CONFERENCE AT MANILA. NEW YORK, November 19. The Shanghai correspondent of the “New York Herald-Tribune,” states that Admiral Thomas Hart commander of the recently-strengthened United States Asiatic fleet, and Mr. Clarence Gauss, the American ConsulGeneral at Shanghai, will sail for Manila next Tuesday aboard the flagship Augusta to confer with Mr. Francis Sayre, United States High Commissioner in the Philippines, on American interests and policies in the Far East.' Mr. Nelson Johnson, American Ambassador to China, may arrive in time to participate. The conference is arousing widespread interest in China and Japan. Admiral Hart may spend a month inspecting the Philippines in view of the special problems that have developed as a consequence of the European war. " " ’■ ' INVASION OF KWANGSI IMPORTANT RESULTS EXPECTED NEW YORK, November 18. The Shanghai correspondent of the “New York Times,” Mr. Abend, states: There is a rapid advance of the Japanese forces in Kwarigsi. It is likely to have most important political and military effects. It is emboldening the recalcitrance of the Governor of Yunnan, General Lungyan. He has long been suspected of friendliness towards General Wang Ching-wei (ex-Chinese Premier, who proposes a new regime in Central China). Friendly to Japan, General Lungyan recently opposed Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s orders to send a portion of the Yunan Provincial armies to Hunan.

“The highest Japanese in Shanghai assert that the Kwarigsi invasion is not merely a diversion, designed to cut off Pakhoi’s port, but it will develop into a most important move, eventually stopping the Chungking Chinese Government’s supplies via the Yunnan railway, and also rendering useless China’s new Burma “If these objects are achieved, then the Soviet will be China’s only foreign source of war materials.” THREAT TO INDO-CHINA NEW YORK, November 19. The Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “The Chinese spokesman here declared that Japan’s invasion of Kwangsi Province would require at least two divisions. It would enable China to tie up a further large enemy force.” A Chinese Foreign Office organ, the “Hankow Herald,” says: “The attack on Kwangsi is a threat more to the security of Indo-China than of South China. If it succeeds, the value and significance of Indo-China as a French colony will be lost.”

The Chinese claim success in counter operations in south-west Shansi Province, stating they have reoccupied Taning, Wuching and Fuhsein, and retaken all important points.