PRO-AXIS POLICY

Grey River Argus, 13 December 1940, Page 8

PRO-AXIS POLICY

Japan ? s Next Move CABINET CHANGES INDICATED. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] <Received December 12, 11.20 -p.m.) TOKIO. December 12. The Reuter Agency reprentative reports that it is rumoured that a reshuffle of Prince JConoye s Cabinet portfolios may shortly take place, with the rapid approach of the opening of what promises to be a stormy .e°siion of the Diet. He says that changes would mainly affect those Ministers who have fallen into baa odour with the pro-Nazi camp. It is reported the changes will inelude the Foreign Minister, M. Matsuoka; the Navy Minister, Admiral Olkawa; and the Minister of Commerce and Industry, M. Kobayashi. M. Matsuoka is reported to have lost confidence by virtue of his appointment of Admiral Nomura as Ambassador at Washington. Admiral Olkawa is said to be unpopular because of his policy and caution in the prosecution of the Southward Advancement ambitions. The writer also says it is reported that December is the deadline for "positive” action in the East Indies, and that, accordingly, a complete change in the Government cannot be excluded, although a “walk-out” on the eve of the Diet session by Prince Konoye, the Prime Minister would meet with scant public approval, which approval remains an important factor in Japan, despite all efforts to control it from above. Military political circles are said to be working to prevent any such contingency. Britain and U.S.A. INCREASE PRESSURE ON JAPAN. • [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 13, 1-55 a.m.) TOKIO, December 12. In an editorial, the “Asahi Shumbun” comments on the British and American pressure on Japan. It says: “A new British loan of ten million sterling has been granted to the Chungking regime. This synchronises with an extension of the American restrictions on iron and steel exports. It is obvious that these two actions have been taken in concert, as part of collective pressure against Japan. Such a flagrant manifestation of hostility towards Japan -by Britain and America wnl stiffen the Chungking resistance, and thus will prolong the China-Japanese conflict, also intensifying the rivalry between the Nanking and Chungking regimes.

U.S.A. Scrap Metal EMBARGO AGAINST JAPAN [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 12. 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 11. It is officially stated that exports from the United States of iron and steel scrap during- November were 59,000 tons, as compared with 1,195.000 tons during October. The decrease was due to the licensing of exports, which is principally aimed against Japan.