JAPAN’S NEW POLICY

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 3

JAPAN’S NEW POLICY

POLITICAL ENTENTE With the Axis “GREAT EAST ASIA PROSPERITY BLOC." LAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received August 4, 7.30 p.m.) TOKIO, August 3. Th. e paper “Nichi Nichi Shimbun said: The Prime Minister of Japan Prince Konoye and other Government leaders are considering the sending of Mr Matsuoka (Foreign Minister) to Rome and Berlin to discuss “the conclusion of a strong political entente for the construction of a new world order.” This would be the first step in enforcing the KonoycMatsuoka diplomacy as pronounced Jn th, e statement of Friday last. Th e paper also said that the Axis would be informed that Japan is moving toward her supreme goal of constructing a “Great East- Asia Mutual Prosperity Bloc” and that Japan also would attempt to have a rapprochement with Russia, and would firmly enforce her policies, although some friction with the United States might be inevitable.

The newspaper further said: “Japan intends negotiating with Berlin and Rome on fundamental issues such as colonies, the redistribution of natural resources in the new world, and the monetary system, as toward “peace maintenance among the Great East Asia, the Pan-Euro-pean the Pan-American, and the Soviet Blocs.” The “Nichi Nichi Simbun’s” 0 Honoi correspondent stated: Admiral Sato has protested against the alleged delay in the adjustment of the Jap-,inese-Indo-China relations regarding the communication, aviation, ana accumulated goods problems. AMERICAN VESSEL. SEIZED BY JAPAN. SHANGHAI, August 3. It is revealed that the Japanese Navy seized th e Estelle, a small vessel belonging to an American line, the Robert Lang Company, on Thursday last off the Chekiang coast. She had a Russian captain and a Chinese crew. It is understood she entered tne Japanese blockade zone, which the United States does not recognise. A Japanes, e Navy spokesman saM that the Estelle has been detained be- - cause of military necessity. H e saw he did not know whether the vtssdl would be released. Philippine President ON NEW SITUATION (Received August 4, 7 p.m.) MANILA, August 3. President Quezon, of the Philippines, in a statement to the press, declared that the commonwealth was continuing its defence programme with some changes. He said: “The war in Europe is teaching us that we have been too optimistic regarding the defence of the Philippines. Our original plans are not as bright as before.” Questioned regarding the future of the Presidency, he said: “I shall not be a candidate. I will not accept nomination, but I will serve il I am elected.”

More Britons

ARRESTED BY JAPS

LONDON, August

It is authoritatively stated that two more Britons were arrested in Korea by Japanese. Those arrested are Mr Sandford, and Rev. Mr Chadwell, and English Church missionary al Hcijo. Sir R. Craigie is making representations. TERRORISM IN SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, August 2. The Consular body passed a resolution condemning terrorism, urging the Municipal Council to do its utmost to eradicate -all terrorism. JAPAN’S OBJECTION TO U.S.A. OIL EMBARGO WASHINGTON, August 3. Mr Horinouchi, Japanese Ambassador handed Mr Sumner Welles (As-sistant-Secretary of State) a Note expressing official Japanese objections to the U.S.A, aviation fuel embargo against J'apan. MELBOURNE, August 2. According to a Dutch rubber official, Mr J. A. Schiotling, from Sarawak, who arrived from Java aboard a cargo vessel to-day, Japan is expected to attempt the penetration ol the Dutch East Indies. Ke contended that such an attempt would meet with little success, as n powerful army, well trained and thoroughly vigilant, was ready to deal with an invader and the utmost precautions had been taken to cope with aw-raids.

Mr Schiotling added that the coastline was bristling with shore batteries.