JAPAN’S POLICY

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1941, Page 9

JAPAN’S POLICY

U.S.A. DISTORTION ALLEGED LONDON, January 17. Leading Tokio newspapers “Asahi.” "Nichi Nichi” and “Yomiuri” attacked Mr Cordell Hull's speech, winch they described as an outrageous distortion of Japan’s policies and a clear-cut war challenge to th? Axis. “TIMES” CRITICISM OF JAPAN / RUGBY, January 17. “The Times,” in a leader entitled “Japan’s Grave Hour,” says: lhe purpose of the series of meetings which is being held by Prince Konoye is undoubtedly to allay widespread misgiving's about results al home and abroad The appalling casualty, figures now becoming Known in Tokio must blazon to the eyes of even the most purblind in Japan, the terrible cost of the attempt to conquer China, which remains unconquered after nearly four years •■>* war. Nor do they represent all the losses which the militaristic policy of the last six years has involved. The cost in money is mounting to such an extent as to cast doubt upon the future solvency of the country. . “Moreover, the policy of militarism involves in Japan, as everywhere else, another loss —loss of liberty at home. The liberal which Japanese .statesmen of a previous generation had carefully built, up are going by the board, and to the loss

of life and income is being added the loss of civil rights. “The Japanese public cannot fail to see that th e policy of soldiers and sailors is having just as duo an influence in external as in home affairs, for relations with the United States are rapidly deteriorating. The present policy of the Japanese Government seems to be leading the country to financial ruin and dissension between the militarists and the politicians at home and abroad, and io an extension of the war, which already strains the national resources to an almost unbearable de- ° rcc. “The Unitetd States is being truculently bidden to refrain from Helping Britain while Japan is doing what she can to help Germany, President Roosevelt, of course, is not in the least affected by the Japanese threats, and the United States continues to assist both Britain and China.”