BURMA RD. DRIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 9

BURMA RD. DRIVE

INDO-CHINA 'ZONE

ATTACK ON THAILAND rumour in Manilla (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 1, 2.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 31. Japan is reported to be massing troops in Indo-China for an attack on the Burma road and also, possibly, for some move against Thailand, says the United Press correspondent at Shanghai. Despatches from Chungking and diplomatic reports from Hanoi state that extensive military preparations are apparently designed to strike against' the Anglo-American supply line. The Chinese press urges immediate Anglo-American action. The National Broadcasting Corporation’s correspondent at Manila states that there is a persistent report which, however, cannot be confirmed, that Japanese forces have entered IndoChina from Thailand.

Viewing the Japanese attitude as it is influenced by the belief that German will defeat Russia, “Perthe French political observer, writing for the North American Newspaper Alliance, says that Japan really believes that a Hitler victory would make it possible for her to reach her. goals and keep clear of danger. The real stumbling block is the Chinese problem. In the discussions between /.irerica and Japan, it is understood that Japan demanded the right to keep military garrisons in China while the United States refused to concede anything, even tentatively that threatened to interfere with China’s sovereignty and independence. It is reported from Batavia that the oil contract between the Netherlands East Indies and Japan, which was concluded a year ago, expired to-day. The contract provided for the delivery of 1,300,000 tons of oil a year to Japan. No attempt has been made by Japan to extend the contract, which clearly shows that she has given up hope of obtaining any Netherlands Indies oil in the present circumstances.