FAR EAST POSITION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1941, Page 5

FAR EAST POSITION

IMPROVEMENT REPORTED ANGLO-U.S.A. MEASURES LONDON, August 11. The Bangkok correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the general impression there last night was that the atmosphere was definitely better after intense diplomatic activity throughout the day, in which the United States Minister (Mr. H. G. Grant) figured and which reached a climax in an extraordinary meeting of the Thai Cabinet. Mr. Duff Cooper, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who has reached New York on his way to take up special duties in Singapore, said today: “The strong measures taken by Britain and the United States after the Japanese intrusion into IndoChina have had a distinctly steadying effect on. the Japanese.” In spite of frank discussion on the dangers confronting Japan, leading Japanese newspapers reaffirm the nation’s determination to continue its southward expansion policy. Some Tokio newspapers frankly warn Japan that Britain is ready to go to war if Japan continues to move southward, and they add if Britain fights she will have the full support of the United States and the Netherlands East Indies. The “Nichi Nichi” says Japan by her own power will not hesitate to reject any action by Britain and the United'States, or any other nation under British or American influence, trespassing on Thailand’s independence. The “Asahi” says Japan has decided that hex - policy to establish a greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere will not be moved an inch by bluff from any third Power. The Tokio correspondent of the New York “Herald-Tribune” says the Japanese Press warned Thailand against a policy df co-operation with the democracies. At the same time it warned England and America that Japan would take action in the event of any territorial threat against Thailand. MOBILISATION OF INDUSTRY. LONDON, August 11. A message from Tokio says Japan is preparing for the mobilisation of her industry. The full provisions of the General Mobilisation Act, giving the State wide control of materials, industries, and banking, are to be invoked. . The Singapore correspondent oi “The Times” says the Japanese occupation of Indo-China applies _o the ‘economic as well as the military sphere. This is clear from reports of Japanese officials being appointed to co-operate with the French administration and also of technicians arriving to participate in the development of Indo-China’s resources and to help reorganise her export trade.

MR. HULL’S DENIAL

NO CONCESSION OFFERED (Rec. 12.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 11. Mr. Cordell Hull, in a Press interview to-day, said there was no basis for the report that the United States had offered a plan of settlement, involving certain concessions to Japan, if the Japanese would withdraw from the Axis. He added that if the United States took up anything with Japan regarding a general settlement, it would be based on all the fundamental principles already enumerated. Any rapprochement would have to stem from the creation of a peaceful order in the Orient, as outlined in a note to Japan in 1937. Mr. Hull said that if Congress failed to extend army service, it would have an extremely bad psychological effect on the international situation. On tne general question of whether the dangers warranted an extension, Mr. Hull replied that the reading of newspaper headlines should emphasise the reality of the warnings. Pressmen pointed out that some members of Congress appeared utterly unaware of these dangers. Mr. Hull said that seemed to be the matter with the country. One reporter suggested that Mr. Hull and other leaders should go before the country and use a few “cuss words. , ~ , ~ Mr. Hull replied that one of many criticisms directed against him was that he had used too many cuss words. —U.P.A. U.S.A. PREPAREDNESS

(Rec. 11.50 a.m.) TOKIO, Aug. 11. “Hochi” says informed sources at Vladivistock revealed that the United States had proposed America and Russia should take'concerted defensive measures, in the event ot a third Power attacking the Netherlands Indies. i „ , In a radio interview from Washington, Mr. Wakasugi, who is returning to Japan, told “Nichi Nichi : I think the United States is prepared and. determined to meet the worst eventualities. Speech, Press, industry, everything is directed towards preparedness. Any person who saw ,tiie United States last year cannot possibly imagipe the actual America of to-day, because everything has changed. I don’t think Japan is starting anything, but it seems that the United States programme is set ready for action in case Japan moves. The Associated Press Pekin correspondent says that the United States Embassy has made new representations to the Japanese Embassy, about the treatment of Americans at Tsingtao. Besides restriction on travel, Americans are not permitted to use taxis. Americans are also finding it increasingly difficult to purchase necessities, such as food and coal.— U.P.A. BASES IN PACIFIC (Rec. Noon) WASHINGTON, Aug. 11. Johnston and Palmyra, strategic islands in the Pacific, will be taken over by the United States Navy and Air Commands, this week. —U.P.A. Johnston and Palmyra Islands will be used as bases for patrol and emergency landing-fields, and fuel depots for seaplanes operating from Hawaii. Oases will be rushed to completion.

THAI RESISTANCE.

LONDON, August 10.

A striking warning io any aggressor was given by the Bangkok radio, which stated that the Thailand forces will not yield to any aggressor. It invaded, Thailand would use the most vast scorched earth policy,-stated the broadcast, and the invader would find nothing but a vast Thai cemetery. The Bangkok radio appealed to Thailanders to stand up to possible invaders “though your independence may be lost, your honour will remain,” said the announcer, who urged the people to use every means to kill the enemy, even using gas, if justified. He also advocated a scorched earth policy. “SERIES OF INTRIGUES.” (Rec. 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 11. The United Press Saigon correspondent reports that the bulk of the Japanese force in Indo-China has been stationed at Cambodia, only small detachments being in the vicinity of Saigon. A Pnom Penh message states: general Kobayashi said that a series of intrigues in the past lew days had obliged Japan to take all the necessary measures to maintain her position in

Indo-China. General Kobayashi declined to disclose the nature of the intrigues which he said threatened Indo-China’s security. The Associated Bangkok correspondent says that the Government is establishing a new Ministry of Communications, to centralise the administration of railways, highways, telegraph, and postal services. Two Axis ships, one German find the other Italian, which had taken refuge in Thai waters since the outbreak of war, departed under cover of darkness. A strong United States Services Mission, is visiting the Netherlands Indies, states a report from Bandoeng. The visit is connected with the delivery of American war materials. —• U.P.A.

FRONTIER REINFORCEMENTS (Rec. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 11. The Thailand Government has sent reinforcements to strategic points on the Indo-China frontier, reports the British United Press Bangkok correspondent. This followed an emergency meeting of the Cabinet, at which it was decided to take active steps to maintain neutrality and to control frontier traffic.—U.P.A. CHINESE ASSISTANCE LONDON, August 11. A high Hunan military authority, reported a move as the result of an unwritten Anglo-Chinese alliance, whereby Chinese were attacking the Japanese in the north across China, to prevent the Japanese withdrawals. He also said that Britain had refused a Chinese offer to send two of her best armies to Burma. However, she had agreed to the passage of Chinese troops to Burma, at the moment Japan threatens Burma, through Thailand. The Chinese have good stores of war materials on hand. The military authority told the United Press that the Chinese have started a general guerrilla counterattack northward across the Yellow River, in an effort to prevent the withdrawal of Japanese garrisons which could be used either in Russia or Malaya. Shanghai military reports said that numerous wounded had already reached Pekin as a result of the fighting on the Yellow River.

CHUNGKING’S WORST RAID. (Rec. 12.45) CHUNGKING, Aug. 11. Four hundred Japanese planes participated in the most-severe aerial bombardment Chungking has yet suffered. The raids lasted for nine and a-half hours. The alarm sounded at 4.10 a.m., after only a short lull from Sunday’s raids, which kept the populace underground for 14 hours. , . To-day’s attack was the culmination of a series of raids during the past four days, in which more than 3000 bombs have been dropped.— U.P.A. STRENGTH OF HONG KONG. LONDON, August 11. The Hong Kong representative of “The Times” says that amidst the dangers and complexities of the situation it is felt there that one thing at least is clear—Japan’s action in French Indo-China has taken up the last of the slack. The tension is so taut now that any move against Thailand, Burma, Singapore, or the Netherlands East Indies is almost certain to result in war in the Pacific. , „ . Officially described as a fortress, Hong Kong probably has more heavy guns for its size than any part of the Emoire. The colony is practically on a war footing, although life is going on much as usual. Another vast air raid tunnel which will hold 10,000 persons is nearing completion in the heart of the city. JAPS LEAVING MALAYA. (Rec. 11.50 a.m.) SINGAPORE, August 11. According to Japanese sources, the first batch of Japanese evacuating Malaya have arrived at Bangkok. The second batch will leave on August 13. —U.P.A. •>