JAPAN AND U.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1940, Page 10

JAPAN AND U.S.A.

STIRRING THE POPULACE ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA [BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT J LONDON, December 3. Feeling against America •is being whipped up in Japan following the announcement of the United States loan of 100,000,000 dollars to China. The Tokio newspaper “Kokumm said that relations between Japan and the United States were now so seriously strained that there was no loom for wishful thinking. GERMAN ATTITUDE LONDON, December 3. In Ankara it is stated that the terms of the pact between Japan and Mr. Wang Ching-wei are definitely against Russia. In spite of her pact with Japan and in spite of Japan’s recognition of the puppet government in China, Berlin is still maintaining diplomatic relations with the Chungking Government, according to American reports from Berlin. No comment has been made in Berlin on the recognition of the puppet government, and the German attitude is said to have left Tokio speechless. (Recd. Dec. 5, 11.35 a.m.). TOKIO, December 4. The radio said that German recognition of the Nanking regime, “might take some time.” Meanwhile, Japan is making whatever capital she can out ol the lact that Rumania has recognised the State of Manchukuo, which was formed eight years ago.

BRITISH POLICY RUGBY, December 4. Mr. Butler, in the Commons, replied to a question concerning information received by Lord Halifax, regarding the transference of Japanese troops from Central China to French Indo-China, the creation of further air and naval bases in the latter country, and peace overtures by Japanese agents to Kai-Shek. He said that Britain was keeping in touch with the United States Government on all questions of mutual interest in the Far East. He emphasised that Britain, which had repeatedly made known her attitude in the matter, continued to recognise the National Government at Chungking as the Government of China. EX-PREMIER’S APPOINTMENT (Reed. December 5, 11.40 a.m.) TOKIO. December 4. Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma, Premier of Japan’s Cabinet dissolved in August, 1939. following the Nazi-Soviet rapprochement, has been appointed Minister without portfolio, in the present Japanese Cabinet.

SHANGHAI BLOCKADE SHANGHAI, December 3. Japanese gendarmes have announced a formal blockade of the western area of the International Settlement, which the Japanese control, and have issued regulations by which foreign residents are permitted entrance and exit subject to the discretion of Japanese officers in the issue of passes. The blockade, which was applied after the murder of another Japanese gendarme by a Chinese gunman at the week-end, has entered its third day. The barricaded area resembles a besieged city and the spectre of. famine hovers over thousands of Chinese in the marooned area as little fresh food is allowed to enter. Meanwhile, the Japanese- are conducting a-house-to-house search.

LATER. The Shanghai Municipal Council and the police reached a tentative agreement for a joint policing of the western area. FRENCH-THAI WAR. (Recd. December 5, 11.20 a.m.) BANGKOK, December '4. The High Command has issued a communique, stating that Thailand anti-aircraft batteries scored several hits on an armoured French transport, attempting to land troops on the Thailand side of Mekhong, near Mongkai, on Monday. The guns again fired on the vessel in the morning, causing an explosion. It is understood that many of the French soldiers aboard were killed or injured. MALAYA’S STRENGTH (Recd. December 5, 11.40 a.m.) SINGAPORE, December 4. In an interview. Sir H. Brooke Popham, referring to Anglo-Japanese relations, said: There is no reason whatever for war, but I cannot guarantee peace. There is no need for panic, but what has happened in Europe can also happen in Asia. It would not be quite correct to say that Malaya can repel any attack, whatever the strength of the invading force, but Malaya is in a much-better position to repel an attack than manypeople try to make out.