FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 2

FAR EAST

JAPAN’S NEED FOR VICTORY [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, September 16. The North American News Agency’s Hong Kong correspondent reports that informed circles believe the Sino-Japanese war climax will be reached within a few weeks. The Japanese are in unmistakable internal straits, because of the growing economic pinch at home, and the unrest in the field in China, and desire a great 1940 push before the weather prolongs the campaign into winter. The Japanese are reported to want a good victory to strengthen the home, morale. There is no indication that the Chinese are not ready for an attack. If the Chinese can smashingly defeat the expected blitzkreig, the Japanese are likely to have the worst winter since the attempt at the New Order started. CHUNGKING BOMBED. CHUNGKING, September 16. Over fifty Japanese planes participated in two raids on the office and residential districts of Chungking. The casualties were few. The damage was extensive. SIAMESE DEMANDS. I (Recd. Sept. 17, 1.40 p.m.) BANKOK, September 16. Thailand has demanded from IndoChina, firstly, the delimitation of the Thailand-Indo-China border, with the deepest channel of the Mekong River forming the boundary, also the immediate transfer of 40 Riparian Islands to Thailand; secondly, the cession of the Luang Praband area, along the northern border, to Thailand; thirdly, a guarantee of the safety of the Siamese inhabiting the Laos Steppes, in north-west IndoChina, or the cession of this area. It is understood that Thailand will denounce the non-aggression treaty with Indo-China, unless the demands are met.