THREAT IN TOKIO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20310, 27 July 1940, Page 8

THREAT IN TOKIO

EMBARGO REPRISALS CURB ON AMERICA SOUTH SEAS DRIVE ACTIVITY STIMULATED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 27, 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 2(1. Reports from Tokio say it is unofTicially indicated there that Japan may consider cutting oil the United States supply of rubber and zinc from the South Seas in retaliation for the American embargo on the export of scrat> iron and petroleum. It is regarded as certain that the embargo will stimulate Japanese activity in the South Seas. The Foreign Office is reported to have instructed diplomats at Washington to inquire of the United States its true intentions of enforcing the embargo and to ask the United Stales to give serious consideration to the matter in order to avoid an aggravation of Japanese-American. relations. The spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office. Mr. Y. Siima, declined to comment on the United States embargo on the export of metals and petroleum, pending official information. However, he said that Japan was negotiating with the Netherlands East Indies for an increase in the oil supply. President Roosevelt reiterated today that licensing control as announced yesterday was designed to conserve the resources for national defence, especially in respect to highquality aviation gasoline. He insisted that the control was not connected with the British acquiescence in the Japanese closing of the Burma road. The British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, called on the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, and indicated his pleasure at the restrictions.