JAPAN AND U.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1940, Page 8

JAPAN AND U.S.A.

INDO-CHINA CRISIS / —- -• PUSH TO EAST INDIES . . • • . • ■ — - ■ . .. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Sept. 21, 10.45 a.m.). SHANGHAI, September 20. _ Authoritative reports from Tokio state that Japan is prepared for a major crisis in Japanese-American relations, over Indo-China. The Japanese were confident that Indo-China, at the last minute, would accept an ultimatum. However, in view of Mr. Hull’s statement, ‘they expect./American retaliation, probably by stiff -embargoes. , It is believed in Tokio that the Imperial ' conference irrevocably decided on an immediate push southward, including the Dutch East Indies. Then an attempt will be made to force the .United States to lift the embargoes, in. return for Indies tin and rubber. The Japanese believe, in view of M. Baudouin’s revelation of the United States’ failure to promise definite support to Indo-China, that the French will probably announce on Sunday their acceptance of the Japanese demands. The main Japanese objective is naval bases, from which almost immediately to strike at _ the East Indies, before the American embargoes could be effective. • SITUATION CRITICAL.

HANOI, September 20. At midnight the situation in IndoChina was considered critical, since the Japanese mission announced that it was leaving. General Nishihara made a farewell call on the French Governor (Vice-Admiral Decoux). • It is authoritatively stated in Shanghai that the new Japanese demands in Indo-China are in the form of an ultimatum, which, it is believed, will expire on September 22. z It is thought that the demands deal mainly with the granting of permanent naval and air bases. The evacuation of Japanese from Indo-China began yesterday morning. Vice-Admiral Decoux is making available every facility, “although there is no reason for an evacuation.” I SIAMESE PATRIOTS. SINGAPORE, September 20. The Thailand Assembly has agreed to extend the constitution for a further ten years. Sixty of the Assembly men have signed a document, which they submitted to the Premier, undertaking to enlist in the front line in the event of Thailand becoming involved in war with any country whatever.