PACIFIC TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 5

PACIFIC TALKS

AMERICAN AIM BREATHING SPACE CHECK TO JAPANESE BAN ON AGGRESSION 'Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assu.l (Reed. Nov. 28, 1.30 a.m.; NEW YORK, Nov. 27. The Associated Press of America describes the document presented yesterday to the special Japanese envoy, Mr. Kurusu, as a “blueprint for peace in the Pacific, based on the doctrine of non-aggression which Mr. Cordell Hull has preached for years.” The Associated Press says its reception is regarded as uncertain. Mr. Kurusu and the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, conferred with Mr. Hull for an hour and a quarter. They emerged smiling, but silent. It is understood that the United States offered Japan a formula based on Mr. Hull’s 1937 declaration of principles, firstly the maintenance of peace, secondly abstinence from the use .of force, and thirdly the adjustment of international problems by peaceful negotiation and agreement. Authoritative sources say that the United States favours three months of breathing space in the Japanese relations. The Washington correspondent of the United Press of America reports that a temporary agreement would be possible provided that Japan were willing to pledge that no further aggressive moves, either southward or against Russia would be made. Japan would also require to rearrange her troop dispositions so that they could not threaten the Burma road for the duration of the agreement. Trading Facilities

Last week the Japanese envoys asked for a fuller restoration of trading facilities and offered fewer guarantees than the United States now asks. The proposed temporary agreement, it is understood, would include a provision for carrying on discussions aimed at a more permanent adjustment.

Discussing x-umours variously claiming that Mr. Hull’s document leads to high hopes ot a settlement and also that Chinese opposition to American - Japanese agi'eement threatens to wreck the negotiations, a high diplomatic informant told the Associated Press that Mr. Hull presented Mr. Kurusu and Admiral Nomura with a statement of basic policy in the Pacific, rather than a series of specific proposals. The informant added it was still too early to say the talks would succeed or fail, regarding which all estimates must be regarded as merely guesses. The Washington correspondent ol the New York Times sats the document marks the completion of the first phase of the negotiations, leaving everything depending on the Japanese attitude. China’s ’ views differ from the other A.B.C.D. Powers, insofar as China does not want concessions to be allowed to Japan. The Washington correspondent of the Heraid-Tribune says that Mr. Hull’s document aroused the impression that Mr. Hull is attempting to carry out the original intention to seek a complete general Pacific settlement.