TALK OF WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 3 December 1941, Page 6

TALK OF WAR

CHECK TO JAPS. FRANK AMERICAN THREATS IN TOKIO ATTACKS ON SHIPPING (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Asst:.; (Reed. Dec. 3. 1.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. “If Japan moves south Congress will support a declaration of war.” said Congressman May in a press interview. "The American people feel more angry towards Japan than Hitler.” - He urged President Roosevelt to tell the Japanese that unless they renounced their ambitions for an empire in South Asia the United States would “blast them off the land and blow them off the water.” The pro-Axis political leader, Seigo Nakano, addressing a public meeting in Tokio, demanded that Japan should resort to force such as the sinking of' American transports if the United States’ Government refused to accept Japan’s terms. He added that any compromise settlement with the United States would be virtually inviting Japan’s downfall. The Domei agency says that the Japanese Ministry of Overseas Affairs has been transferred from Mr. Togo to the Agricultural Minister, Mr. Ino, “because of the serious situation confronting the country and the growing importance of the food question.”

The Commerce Minister, Mr. Yoshiaki Hatta, has taken over the Ministry of Railways, concurrently held by the Communications Minister, Mr. Terajima. State Control of Fleets

The Berlin radio says that the Japanese Government is taking com j plefe control of the Japanese merchant and fishing fleets early in January.

The Japanese vernacular press, under banner headlines, carried reports that British troops are massing in Burma, and the declaration oi states of emergency in the Nether--lands Indies, Malaya and Hong Kong, states a message from Tokio. At the same time there is mounting pessimism editorially regarding the outcome of the Washington negotiajtions.

The Nichinichi Shimbun says: “We appreciate the Government's last effort to make peace with the United States. However, it is futile to listen any more to the Americans’ hypocritical peace, talks.” ’ j The Asahi Shimbun says: “We arc deeply impressed that the negotiations are heading toward a finale without any hope of success.” The Miyako says: “For Japan tb carry on the conversations with the United 'States virtually amounts tc travelling with a group of hijackeijs With covetous eyes on our purse.” ; A- Shanghai message quotes the Vichy correspondent of the Dome, agency, who reports that an authorised .spokesman has indicated that Vichy ~ France would not oppose Japan in the event of the latter using Indo-China as a base for operations against “Powers threatening Thailand's security.” It is added that France “would always examine the situation surrounding Indo-China realistically.”