JAPAN’S “NERVE WAR”

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1941, Page 7

JAPAN’S “NERVE WAR”

’ ANGLO-U.S.A. VIGILANCE ' NO MOVE AGAINST RUSSIA RUGBY, July 16. Rumours that Japan will soon seek to take advantage of the world situation in order to fulfil the double purnose of helping her Axis partner and at the same time obtain prizes for herself, grow in intensity. Varied suggestions of the directions in which rumour forecasts that such a move might take place are held by some to indicate an endeavour on the part of the Japanese Government to test British and American reactions to each one of several possibilities. If such be the object of the attempted “nerve war,” the Japanese must be feeling considerable disappointment at the results. Although the British and American Governments are carefully watching the situation, and keening each other informed, they are unlikely to satisfy the Japanese curiosity, but, strictly between themselves, have discussed what steps should be taken in the event of a Japanese stroke materialising. The members of partnerships such as those existing between Japan and Germany are far more concerned with obtaining gains for themselves than with pursuing a co-operatiye effort, and this reason makes it unlikely that any Japanese movement will be made against Russia, however much such action would be welcomed by Hitler. The fact of the Japanese-Soviet neutrality pact would not, of course, be any’ bar to a Japanese attack—repudiation is a common form in Axis circles. A more-likely reason why a move in this direction may be discounted is that the Japanese Army would have heavy fighting to do for little advantage. Anv attack on Russia by way of the Maritime Provinces or Siberia would be opposed by large and efficient Russian forces, which, in spite of the action in the West, are still untouched in the East. In addition, further military moves would be unpopular among a certain section of the Japanese Government, which is extremely adverse to entrusting Generali with any more power, which such an operation would be bound, temporarily at least, to give ’them. A more-promising indication is that any move decided upon Would be in the south, a direction where the Japanese Navy, hitherto more or less unemployed, could be advantageously used against Indo-China and Thailand, and where comparatively little resistance need be expected. The occupation, either by “Vichy lease” or otherwise, of Indo-China norts, would give Japan strategic bases which would be most useful should more ambitious action ever be contemplated; also, by a movement in this direction, she would gain what is dear to Axis hearts —loot. For southwards lie rubber, iron, and other materials which Japan needs. The likelihood that,/should the Japanese Cabinet be able to arrive at any unanimous decision, it would be to adventure southwards, has received some support from the propaganda campaign against Indo-China how being conducted in the Japanese Press, as well as the assiduous declar-' ations that Britain is about to enter an alliance with China. The latter type of assertion is well-known as a prelude to Axis “defence action,” of which the declaration that Britain and Russia were about to enter an alliance was the last example.—B.O.W. PEACE-WITH-CHINA GROUP (Rec. 11.30 ) NEW YORK, July 16. The “New York Times’s” Shanghai correspondent says: Japan is marking time, as she ‘wants to join the winning side. The Cabinet is said to be facing a crisis, because of disputes over the most-profitable course. Government opponents believe that Mr. Shigemitsu returned from London to succeed Mr. Matsuoka, and to institute a new policy whereby Japan would withdraw from South China, and open the Yangtse and Peiho Rivers to- foreign trade. Japan would maintain only small garrisons at Shanghai, Nanking and Hankow, but would keep a dominant position in North China. The Shigemitsu group believes it can interest Britain in this scheme. Japan would then turn her attention to Eastern Siberia.

The influential Tokio “DiplomaticReview,” which is supported by the Foreign Office, urges the Government to attempt to settle the China affair .on the basis of national policy alone. It declares that the incident should not become involved in the world war.

Meanwhile, Chungking remains watchful. Most of China’s huge army would continue fighting under any leadership, so long as it was antiJapanese. Mr. Quo Tai Chi said that Chungking would not sign even an Ame-rican-negotiated peace settlement. The Sino-Japanese war must be part of the world-wide post-war settlement. , He added that no attempt had been made by Germany to settle hostilities between China and Japan.— U.P.A. JAP. CABINET RESIGNS. EMPEROR RETURNS TO CAPITAL. (Rec. 11.30 a.m./ LONDON, July 16. It is officially announced from Tokio that the Cabinet has resigned en bloc. The Cabinet, it is stated, decided to make way for a stronger one, to deal with the present international situation. Prince Konoye’s Cabinet will remain in office, under Imperial guidance, until a new Cabinet is formed. The Emperor and Empress are cancelling their vacation, and are returning immediately to Tokio. It is believed in Washington that Japan will make at least a gesture towards the north against Russia, and will move more southward, though with strict limitations. , j Russia has notified Japan that three zones ip the Sea of Japan, and one in the Kamchatka Peninsula, between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Behring Sea, have become dangerous for navigation.—U.P.A.

THE THREE POLICIES. (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. “The Times’s” Diplomatic Correspondent says that clearly .a most delicate situation has arisen at a critical time. Prince Konoye’s Cabinet has been discussing whether to attack Russia, thereby falling m with German desires, demand or seize bases in Indo-China and Thailand, or mark time temporarily, while doubling the effort' to end the China war.. Many signs indicated that the Cabinet was turning to Indo-China and Thailand. According to a private report received by “The Times” from France, demands have already been prepared, in readiness for presentation to Vichy within a few days. Repeated reports from Tokio stated that Japan would move northwards or southwards before July 20. It is clear the Japanese Cabinet was still undecided. Prudent voices were raised against the extremists, and evidently the z crisis was forced on this issue. Even if the new Cabinet is more prudent any change in Japan’s course is likely to be gradual. A Vichy spokesman denied that Japan had delivered an ultimatum to France concerning Indo-China. He added that France’s relations with Japan were excellent. • JAPAN ANDINDO-CHINA SAIGON, July 16. The Governor-General of IndoChina (Admiral Decoux) denied charges bv Japanese newspapers of failing to" fulfil agreements with

Japan and of persecuting pro-Jap-anese Annamite natives. Admiral Decoux declared that Japanese demands had been received for further concessions. He said IndoChina would do nothing to trouble the situation in the southern Pacific. Because of the geographical position of Hong Kong and Singapore, IndoChina would continue trade relations with them, exchanging vital merchandis i. (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) SAIGON, July 16. Admiral Decoux denies that he has received demands from the Japanese for further concessions.—U.P.A-. CHINESE—STARVING. (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 16. One-third of- the population of south-eastern Shansi Province lias been wiped out in the past few weeks by starvation and pestilence, according to a report received from Mr. George Hogg, American relief worker in China.' “Scorched earth” tactics accounted for most of the deaths. PROTEST TO U.S.A. (Rec.' 11.45) TOKIO, July 16. “Asahi’s” Washington correspondent says that the Japanese Embassy has protested to the United States against the oppressive measures taken against Japanese ships. The Norfolk Marti was detained unduly before clearance, necessitating Embassy intervention. Another Japanese ship was held up at Boston, although vigorously searched by coastguardsmen. It is further alleged that other ships were detained unwarrantably. MANILA BAY MINED. "MANILA, July 16. The United States Navy has announced that. the.entrances at Manila Bay and the nearby Subic Bay will be dangerous for navigation after daylight on Thursday, on account of contact mines having been sown. In future the departure and entrance to Manila Bdy of ships will be permissible only in daylight hours. Private craft are prohibited entirely from the naval area in Subic Bay. FOOD RATIONING. (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) TOKIO, July 16. The Domei Agency announced that foodstuffs such as rice, sugar, and cooking oil would be even more drastically controlled and rationed in future.—U.P.A. NO SHIPS TO AUSTRALIA ~SYDNEY, July 16. Reports received in Sydney to-day reveal that the sailing from Japan of two vessels for Australian ports has been cancelled. It is understood that some form of restriction has come into force in Japan which temporarily at least is preventing the shipment of cargoes to Australia. NEGLIGENT DRIVING. WELLINGTON, July 16. The jury in the Supreme Court found Noel Campbell Raikes, a salesman, aged 24, guilty on a charge of negligent driving and causing the death of Robert Brian Patterson, aged nine a cyclist, at Paraparaumu. After inspecting the- scene of the accident the jury returned the verdict, with the strongest possible recommendation to mercy, and added a rider that a law should be brought down doing away with all ornaments and obstructions of radiator caps, and expressed the opinion that the ornament on the prisoner’s car was the cause of de Mr.' Justice Smith suspended prisoner’s licence, and prohibited him from obtaining another licence for five years His Honor said this would not m-event his driving cars foixan ambulance corps overseas. *