JAPAN’S WISER COURSE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1941, Page 5

JAPAN’S WISER COURSE

CONSUL-GENERAL’S ADVICE

U.S. RESOLUTION EMPHASISED LONDON, August 12. In the radio interview from Washington, the Japanese Consul-General in the United States (Mr K. Wakasugi), who is returning to Japan, told the Tokio newspaper, “Nichi Nicni”: “The United States desires friendly relations with Japan, and will never take the initiative in hostile action, but Washington is resolved to meet a further Japanese advance move for move, whatever the consequences.” The Tokio correspondent of the “New York Times” (Mr Otto D. Tolischus) says Mr Wakasugi’s declaration controverts the entire propaganda thesis of the Japanese Press, which has been charging the United States and Britain with aggressive designs against Japan and Thailand. Coming on top of Japanese press despatches from London intimating that Britain is now prepared to fight to defend her interests in the Far Bast, the declaration has created a profound impression. . The “Nichi Nichi” headed the interview: “United States Attitude Changes Suddenly.” . Mr Wakasugi declined to discuss Thailand, saying: “That is a very delicate question.” Lest Japan should have any illusions left about American isolationists who have been hers as well as Germany’s best hope, Mr Wakasugi emphasised that the ‘ influence of anti-war advocates is not great now that America is engrossed in national defence expansion.” . Finally Mr Wakasugi gave what appears to be a piece of aavice to the Japanese press, and, m the view of the “Japan Times-Advertiser to the authorities as well. He said: Ameii-can-Japanese relations are so closely connected with. the whole woild situation that it is better no to aggravate, even carelessly. Instead oi being excited, I think tact and redoubled prudence are m order A mpssaSG from Tokio says inc spokesman for the Japanese Cabinet s Information Bureau (Mr Ishii), in an interview with newspaper represe - tatives again warned the unnea States that Japan is “urgently concerned” over the shipment of s W >nl . i a? to Vladivostok. Although he denied that there had been any ing, he emphasised Japan desires to maintain peace in the Pacific, loi which reason American shipments oi war supplies to Russia were v y er The’ l lnformation Board that Mr. Carnegie conferred with Act miral Toyoda on Monday, but declined to reveal the subject of the discussion. U.S.A.’s FURTHER ACTION LONDON, August 12. The chairman of the Foreign delations Committee of the United States Senate (Senator George) said to-day that the United States might possibly sever all commercial relations with Japan if Japan took further steps in th? South Pacific or moved egmnst TRuccia in Siberia. He douotea whether Japan would refrain from taking further steps. NO LASTING SETTLEMENT.

LONDON, August 12. Well-informed circles in London are unable to see any prospect oi a lasting peaceful settlement emerging from the present crisis. They be lieve that, if Japan does not press the present crisis to the point of wax immediately, she will at least remain poised, ready to pounce when she thinks the time is more The New York Heiald- inbune savs that, if Russia collapses, or Vichy agrees to help to make the South Atlantic a German playground, then Japan will surge onward. The Associated Press Shanghai correspondent reports that MajoiGeneral Akiyama stated his G°y e in ment was deeply concerned ovei the possibility that Vladivostok might become America s first hne oi de fence against Japan. Hej added tha lauan was determined to end me ® affair successfully, either by the annihilation of the Chungking regime, or by its incorporation in Nanking. A s oluti° n was cl °seu because the quality of Chinese front-line troops was deteiioiatin Japan was in no particular huny end the China war. She did not want to speed up natural processus. Since Japan’s aim was reconstruction and not destruction, it would take some time. —U-P-A. AID FOR THAILAND. (Rec. 11.40 Aug 12. k It is learned on good authority that the Japanese High Command is planning to place 180,000 troops in IndoChina, the majority of whom will be stationed in West Cambodia, adjoining the Thailand border, says the Associated Press Saigon correspondent Colonel Sarablaga, leader of the Thai Boundary Commission, said that Thailand would welcome foreign aid, if attacked, but at present there was no pressure from any quarter. He added that Thailand could not consider demands for military or naval bases, or the right of troops transit Any armed attempt to violate Thailand’s neutrality would be resisted by all available means. The “New York Times s Chungking correspondent says that lyt . Wang Shih Chieh, Minister of Puolicity, told the Press that more than economic sanctions against Japan by the United States and Britain would be necessary to keep the Japanese out of Thailand, which appealed io be resisting Japanese aggression, but would be successful only if supported by the United States and Britain.

TOKIO, August 12. The “Kokumin” said that the United States and Britain had been warned that any further pressure on Japan would bring nothing but the worst situation, and Japan would go ahead with grim resolve towards the establishment of her sphere in East Asia. THAILAND’S RESOLVE. LONDON, August 12. The Prime Minister (Luang Bipul Songgram)’ again expressed Thailand’s determination to resist an invasion, and he said Thailand would brook ho interference with hei do m A t Japanese’ envoy has been sent to Indo-China with powers which have lippn described as authority to strengthen the ties between the two countries. IN MALAYA. LONDON, August 12. . Sarawak, in the Malay States, is appealing for recruits for a volunteer force, and a Government .gazette announces the raising again , of the Rangers, according to a provision in the United Kingdom Army Act foi service in Sarawak, North Borneo, Brunei and Labuan. . . Women and children are arriving at Singapore from Sarawak, Labuan tnd British North Borneo. Two Singapore religious schools, accommodating nearly a thousand children, are being taken over by the military authorities. GERMANS IN JAPAN LONDON, August 12. Dr Helmuth Wohltat, Herr Hitler’s jovial confidant, has been in Tokio for a month, reports the “Evening Standard ” With him are numbers of scheming colleagues caring for German crews sent to man Japanese submarines and keeping contact with

German airmen entering Indo-China and Thailand as tourists. Dr. Wohltat and his followers are also supervising German experts who have already fitted out half a dozen surface raiders operating in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

RUSSIA'S DEMANDS. JAPAN MUST~STATE POLICY.

(Rec. 12.20) NEW YORK, Aug. 12. “The Times’s” Shanghai correspondent learns that Soviet representatives have gone to Tokio, definitely demanding that Japan put her cards on the table and conclude a non-ag-gression pact with the Soviet, without reservation clauses which might be interpreted as of benefit to either, in unusual circumstances. The signing' of such an agreement would immediately divorce Japan from the Axis Pact.

Although Japan has been rushing extra troops to Manchuria, and she is now estimated to have 350,000 men there, the three Far Eastern Soviet Armies, with headquarters at Vladivostock, Khabarovsk, and Chita, are estimated to number at least 500,000. These armies are absolutely . independent of European Russia as regards arms, munitions, uniforms, food, and repair bases, and they are reported to be superior to the Japanese forces.—U.P.A. MANCHUKUO TROOPS.

SHANGHAI, August 12. Japan is reported to have trebled her normal garrison of 250,000 troops in Manchukuo.

JAP. LINER OVERDUE

(Rec. 9.50 a.m.) TOKIO, August 12. It is announced that the liner Asama Marti is overdue from San Francisco since August 6. She was returning to Japan without touching the American port. The vessel is carrying ninety-eight passengers, of whom forty are Americans, and a cargo including three million dollars’ worth of silk.—U.P.A. mr fraserVconfidence. (Rec. 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. “The situation in the Pacific is certainly serious, but there is still time for wiser counsels to prevail than that of aggression,” said Mr Fraser, broadcasting. “If. despite every effort to maintain peace in the Pacific, the tide of war should reach New Zealand and Australia, I am certain that the daughter Dominions will show the same calm, unflinching courage, the same fortitude, and the same deep, unyielding determination which have ennobled the Motherland. New Zealand will stand shoulder to shoulder with the United Kingdom, to the end, whatever may come, and that end will be victory.” . “Nothing can shake it or break it, said Mr Fraser, describing . British unity as he found it. “It will withstand any' attack, and has grown stronger with each shock.” After paying a tribute to the fortitude of Britain’s bombed-out citizens, Mr Fraser said that reports circulated abroad about industrial absenteeism and inefficiency had created a wrong impression, obscuring in some measure the enormous amount of fine work accomplished. Great work had been done in the fields., factories, workshops, shipbuilding yards, railways, docks, offices, and wherever human labour of hand and brain, applied to material resources produced raw material or transformed it into commodities to be used to win the W Mr Fraser added: “I shall carry with me to New Zealand the pictuie of a nation organised in every way for victory. I feel certain that any atempted invasion will be ovei - whelmed and crushed.” SHIPS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 13. The Japanese steamer Yamagiku Marti, with about 100 tons of Japanese cargo for discharge at Lyttelton, arrived from the north this morning. The vessel on unloading her cargo, will take on board a consignment ol 1700 sheep, and will sail direct for Japan. She is expected to sail this evening, but may be delayed owing to the shortage of waterfront labour. Members of the crew were permitted to go ashore to-day, on producing their alien passports. The Customs Department searched passengers baggage before it was placed on board.

SYDNEY, August 13. The Minister of Customs (Mr. Harrison) stated that he expected the Japanese liner Kasima Marti would be permitted to load goods to the value of those she discharged. He thought it was probable that the liner would load 5000 bales of wool at Brisbane. It was purchased before Japanese credits in Australia were frozen.