CRISIS LOOMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20627, 1 December 1941, Page 7

CRISIS LOOMS

AMERICA & JAPAN BEFORE TUESDAY TALKS NEAR COLLAPSE TOKIO MOVE POSSIBLE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 29, 2.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 28. President Roosevelt indicated unmistakably to-day that a crisis in Japanese-American relations may be reached before Tuesday next, states the Washington correspondent of the New York Sun. Grim-lipped and making little effort to conceal the extent to which his patience had been exhausted, President Roosevelt greeted pressmen at his conference to-day with a simple declaration that he still hoped to go to Warm Springs this afternoon and that if he was asked how long he intended to stay he could not answer. He still hoped to remain there until Tuesday and, if asked what might prevent him from doing so, he would answer, the Japanese situation. In response to a barrage of questions, President Roosevelt disclosed first that the negotiations with the Japanese had broken down; secondly, an answer had' not been received from the Japanese Government to the communication from the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull; thirdly, he was unable to say when there might be another meeting between Mr Hull and the Japanese envoys. Extremely Grave View The Japanese-American discussions have all but collapsed. It is understood that the State Department informed the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, and the special envoy, Mr. Kurusu, that the United States takes an extremely grave view of the increased Japanese troop concentrations in Indo-China even while the Washington discussions have been carried on. and must insist that the concentrations be dispersed. The resumption of discussions for the stabilisation of the Far Eastern situation is now considered possible only if Japan gives assurances of her peaceful intentions and reverses the present trend of her actions. The Washington correspondent of the New. York Times says that although President Roosevelt took a personal hand in the negotiations by inviting the Japanese envoys to visit the White House, there is nothing to indicate that he is reopening the conversations. That is considered to be, up to Japan rather than the United States. All Efforts Exhausted When the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, transmitted the American document to Japan, it was felt that he had exhausted all efforts possible on the American side to achieve a solution. It may develop that a real and convincing reply of the Japanese to Mr. Hull’s document will be found in actions in Indo-China rather than in words. If events come to a military show-down, the United States is prepared. The Toldo correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. D. Tolischus, declares that the strong gestures of the group of nations following the United States are steadily aggravating the situation in the Pacific. The Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, says that Japan will carefully examine Mr. Hull’s proposals, but there is absolutely no room for compromise on the three points enunciated by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Tojo. A Shanghai message states that the Japanese are concentrating considerable light naval units, including cruisers, in south China waters, especially at Haiphong. It is believed that the Japanese are strengthening the naval contingents to guard their supply lines in the event of a decision to move against Thailand. Seven hundred American marines sailed from Shanghai, leaving barely 200 in China. Jap. Action Justified The Tokio correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states; “Events have justified fully Japan’s expeditionary force to Indo-China. The Japan Times and Advertiser said to-night, citing the recent bomb explosion in the United States Consulate at Saigon as an instance of the troubled conditions.

The newspaper emphasised that Japanese authority is necessary to maintain order in Indo-China, and added: “That the defence expedition was necessary and timely is shown by the increasing encirclement operations of the A.B.C.D. Powers and by the de Gaullist activities which, if left to themselves, would have menaced the rights of the French and the Japanese Governments.”

The Manila correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that responsible authorities to-night predicted the failure of the AmericanJapanese discussions and the likely replacement of General Tojo’s Government with a full pro-war Government, probably headed by General T tagaki. Competent observers agree that it is not in Japan's character to retreat now, especially under the present leadership of militarists.

It is generally believed that Japan will not accept the alternative to accepting the United States terms to withdraw from China and quit the Axis. It is feared that the only other alternative is war.