TENSION GROWS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20627, 1 December 1941, Page 5

TENSION GROWS

AMERICA & JAPAN

PACIFIC THREAT BELLICOSE JAP. TALK ‘PURGE WITH VENGEANCE' (Elec, Tel. Copyn'Kht—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 1, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 30. It is authoritatively stated that the patience of the United States Government with Japan is nearing exhaustion, and that another Japanese military move, whether ■ against Thailand or elsewhere in the south, would be regarded as a Japanese attempt to dominate the whole of the Pacific area. The United States Government will not tolerate this, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times.

While the negotiations have not collapsed, the United States is deeply concerned over the possibility of the Philippines being encircled by Japan and rubber, tin and other essential defence supplies being cut off by further Japanese aggression. President Roosevelt, at his press conference on Friday, announced that under the existing circumstances, American merchantmen on Pacific routes will not be armed.

Asked how long he thought those circumstances would prevail, President Roosevelt replied that he thought the question might better be asked in Tokio,

Asked whether there was anything he might say on the negotiations with Japan’s envoys, the President replied that he thought he had better not.

“Infinite Patience'

President. Roosevelt conceded that the news of the negotiations had been based largely on despatches from Tokio, and declared that the reason for this was the American policy of infinite patience.

In connection with the President's statement, the Associated Press of America said it was learned on the best authority that the current situation in the Far East is regarded as serious. America desires peace in the Pacific and is taking no steps that would alter the prospects for peace, but reports of unabated Japanese military activity near the Thailand border brought new concern to the capital. Diplomatic representatives of the other friendly Powers involved, Britain, Australia, China and the Netherlands, took a similar serious view. The same high authority told the Associated Press of America that while the Administration is seeking to remove the present aggression in the Far East, it is definitely aligned against any agreement with Japan which would sacrifice China’s interests.

A United Press report confirmed the foregoing, and added that at the same time high Washington sources said that the Japanese-American negotiations had not broken down but the Government regarded the situation as serious.

The New York Times correspondent in Tokio. Mr. D. Tolischus, says that the Japanese Cabinet discussed the American note for nearly two hours but no decisions were announced, nor was any hint given of what impression it induced, but, perhaps, there is significance in the fact that prior to the Cabinet meeting, General Muto, director of military affairs, and Admiral Oka, director of naval affairs, submitted the note to careful scrutiny and then reported to the Cabinet.

“Sort of Ultimatum”

Press circles admit that the contents of the American note are beyond surmise, but they deduce from the circumstances attending its presentation that the United States, in the words of the Domei news agency, presented Japan with a “sort of ultimatum,” which, at best, would bring back the negotiations to the starting point. The Domei agency, quoting well qualified observers, says: “This behaviour represents favourite American tactics of intimidation and appeasement,” and points out that the presentation of a formal American document which, presumably, “bluntly notifies Japan of America’s determination” is the most important development so far. It then declares: “Desiring to maintain peace and tranquility in the Pacific, Japan hitherto has devoted her energy to obtaining a revision of American opinion and harmonisation of the contentions of the two nations, believing that such would be the very key to solution of the impasse in American-Japanese relations. Unfortunately, . however, we have now entered upon the stage where we have to re-examine this view carefully and must squarely recognise this fact. What we ask Admiral Nomura and Mr. Kurusu to do is that they act with renewed determination, in accordance with established national policy, while concentrating their attention on the maintenance of stability in the Pacific which is the very mission of Japan.” Optimism Declines The Japanese reply to the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, expresses dissatisfaction on important points. Optimism is sharply declining regarding the Washington talks, the Tokio correspondent of the British Press authoritatively reports. The Japanese Prime Minister, General Tojo, in a statement on the anniversary of the Japan-Manchukuo declaration of a new order in East Asia, asserted that British and American exploitation of Asiatic peoples must be “purged with a vengeance.” He said General Chiang Kai-Shek was dancing to the tune of BritishAmerican communism because ot Britain. “This is the stock-in-trade of Britain and the United States and therefore we must purge this sort of action with a vengeance.” A Washington message states that Senator Gillette said he had learned from a reliable non-official source that Hitler had promised Japan substantial military aid by February. “By January the Vichy Government will be forced to turn over the French fleet to German control,” he said. Senator Gillette expressed the opinion 'that no agreement, except possibly a delaying truce, can be reached with Japan.It is understood that Mr. Kurusu was sent to Washington at the request of Hitler to delay negotiations until Germany can aid Japan by invading Thailand and attacking the Burma Road. The Shanghai correspondent of the United Press says that the approaches to the Kobe and Yokohama harbours have been mined. The Manila correspondent of the Associated Press of America says

that authoritative sources in Nanking disclosed that Nazi agents are making determined efforts to bring about a negotiated peace between Japan and China. At the same time an authorised Chinese source declared that any lessening of the United States’ aid to China might force Chungking to accept peace terms. French Indo-China’s role, in the event of war in the Pacific would be directed solely from Vichy, declared the Governor - General, Admiral Decoux, in an interview with the Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of America Asked whether areas or bases would be placed at Japan’s disposal in the event of war, Admiral Decoux said that Indo-China was part of the French Empire and therefore must conform strictly to the instructions of the French Government. “Should war strike now, it would find the Philippines unprepared and unprotected,” said the President, Senor Quezon, in a speech at the Manila University. “Thousands might be killed for lack of air-raid shelters. If war had broken out two months ago, there would have been starvation.” American Imperialists had blocked his defence plans in order to have an argument against the Philippines’ independence. Lieutenant - General Macarthur, Commander-in-Chief in the Far East, announced that Brigadier - General Lough had been appointed Commander of the Philippines Department of the United States Army. 1