ARMAMENT RIVALRY

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1938, Page 5

ARMAMENT RIVALRY

JAPAN’S CONCERN At Russian Increase in East [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] TOKIO, February 8. General Sugiyama, in the Diet, said that world ’conditions were forcing Japan to increase her armaments. Unless international relations were adjusted, it was fundamentally impossible to check the world tendency to re-arm.’ He added that the strength of the Soviet Air Force in the Far East was 1,500 ’planes, which would increase by 20 per cent, in a year. They were mostly stationed in the maritime provinces, within striking distance of Japan. Russian" suggestion for an ALLIANCE . (Received February 9i 11.15 p.m.) CHAPEL HILL (North Carolina), February 8. There is more danger of war at present than at. any day before the World War, said the Russian envoy, M. Troyanovsky, addressing university students. The only way out of dangers is for England, the United States an 1 Soviet to form an alliance. JAPAN’S CHIEF CONCERN. RUSSIA’S EASTERN POLICY. (Received February 9, 11.40 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, February 8. “It is unwise for Japan to conceal her naval programme. Japan’s chief concern is Russia,” said Mr - Jiuji Kasai, the Japanese statesman, who is returning to. Tokio from Europe. He added: “It is not true that Japan would be glad to make an agreement with the United States guaranteeing the Philippine Islands their independence.” . ... ANTI-COM MUN IST PACT. TOKIO, February 8. It was announced in the Diet that special emissaries are being sent to Berlin and Rome, to implement the anti-Comintern Pact. THE BRITISH NOTE TO JAPAN. - (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, February 7. Informing the House of Commons of the representations made in Tokio after reports that Japan was constructing, or Intending to construct, capital ships above the London Naval Treaty limits, the Foreign Secretary, (Mr Eden), added that the British Government had kept the German and Soviet Governments fully informed throughout of the action taken. THE FRENCH' NOTE TO JAPAN. ' PARIS, February 8. The French Ambassador at Tokio, to-day, handed the Japanese Foreign Minister a Note regarding the tonnage of warships, on similar lines to the English and American Notes. France asks to be informed until January, 1948, of construction where the tonnage does not conform to the limits fixed by the London Naval Treaty. Otherwise, France will be obliged to consider her freedom of action, if Japan is agreeable, to engage in conversations, with a view to fixing tonnage, armaments, and the limits of future building.

Japan’s Reply

TO NAVAL NOTES. DEMAND FOR INFORMATION REJECTED. (Received February- 9, 9 p.m.) TOKIO, February 9. According to the newspaper “Asahi,” the Japanese Foreign Office and the Navy Ministry have drafted replies “rejecting as unreasonable the demand” of the British, French, and American naval Notes. GERMAN VIEW. ANGLO-AMERICAN PRESSURE ON JAPAN. LONDON, February 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says That the ‘ Hamburger Fremdenblatt” attacks the Anglo-French-American naval Notes to Japan, which it describes as being extremely warlike. It expresses the opinion that an Anglo-American naval concentration at Singapore, simultaneous with President Roosevelt’s rearmament message, is intended to put pressure on Japan.

American Navy

NOT TO BE USED. FOR ANY FOREIGN ALLIANCE. '[Aus. &NX Cable Assn.] ; WASHINGTON, February 9. The Secretary of State, Senator. CHull, has sent a letter to the Senate regarding the resolution which Senator Johnston has submitted to the Senate, asking that he (Senator Hull) should reveal whether the United States contemplates any foreign alliances or foreign understandings. In his letter, Senator Hull states that no alliance, agreement, or understanding exists, or is contemplated, between the United States and Britain. He adds that there is no-understanding, either expressed or implied, to .use the United States navy in conjunction with any other, or that the United States Navy should police or patrol, or be sent to any particular waters. ROOSEVELT’S VIEWS. (Received February 9, 11.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 8. President Roosevelt told the press conference to-day that the Secretary of State, Senator Hull’s statement regarding foreign alliances substantially corresponded with his own views. U.S.A. TIN ORDERS. FOR ARMAMENT EXPANSION (Received February 9, 11.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 9. Following the announcement of an increased defence- programme the State Department is negotiating with the Bolivian Government for, large of tin ore.