JAPAN’S ATTITUDE

Grey River Argus, 19 July 1941, Page 5

JAPAN’S ATTITUDE

NEW CABINET Protest at Soviet Mines [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.' LONDON, July 17. The selection of the Japanese Cabinet is expected to be completed by to-morrow night. Prince Konoye is being assisted by Lieutenant-Gen-eral Yeiichi Suzuki, head of the political division of tiie China Affairs [Board. Two former Ministers, M. Tojo and M. Oikawi, have pledged support to Prince Konoye. It is believed in offi “al quarters in London that J'apan r.as decided on a policy o f self-interej: not tying Mrscli: to either the ' vis or the Moscow Pact. Such po'.ey would not exclude southward moves, confined to Indc-China and Thailand. TOKIO. July 17. The Domei Agency says that Prince Konoye has reached a complete agreement with the war and navy leaders on the formation of a new Cabinet, which will give precedence to Japan’s wartime structure. Emperor Hirohito has returned to the capital, showing that the political situation in the country has taken a grave turn. It adds that the decision to resign was taken in the absence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Matsuoka), who has not. taken part in public life for some days. It is said that he has a “cold.” ~ An emergency meeting of the Cabinet was held yesterday afternoon, and when it was over, tne Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) went to see the Emperor. When he returned, he said that the Emperor had asked him t 0 carry on until a successor could be appointed. I It is pointed out in Tokio that I there will be no change in the Government's basic policy, which was I announced when J|apan reccgniqed the government of Mr. Wang ChingKvei in Nanking. Then it was stated that Japan’s policy was concerned onlv with the creation of a new ; order in East Asia, and the conditions under which Japan would be prepared to withdraw from China i were stated. Renter’s correspondent in the Far East states that the Japanese Cabinet was sharply divided by the German invasion of Russia. He said that an extremist, party was led by Mr. Matsuoka, and included the Minister for War (Lieutenant-General Tojo), while the other section was led by the Minister for the Interior (Baron Hiranuma), and was supported by big business. Their policy was to make no move until tr.o international situation was clearer. It is believed that the resignation of the Cabinet was forced by the extremists in the hope of gaining power in the new Cabinet.

SIBERIAN COAST-MINES. TOKIO. J’uly 17. “■Asahi’s” Moficow correspondent says that a representative of the Japanese Embassy has demanded an explanation cf the Russian warning that the Siberian coast at Kamchatka has been mined. Japan’s Protest AGAINST SOVIET MINES. (Roc 1.10 a.m.); TOKIO. Julv IS. Mr Tatekawa is repotted to have handed the Russian Government a sham protest against its establishment of danger zones in Japanese waters. SOVIET AND U.S.A. (Fesc. 9.35). MOSCOW, July 17. M. Lozovsky, spokesman of the Soviet Information Bureau, has denied what he termed “mischievous” reports that the Soviet is discussing the cession of bases Ko America.' There have been no such talks, and there cannot be,” he said. RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGNERS. SHANGHAI July 17. The AssociWced Press correspondent reports that the Japanese Government has refused foreigners permission to travel from North China to Manchukuo by steamer to Kobe, until July 25. BRITISH PREPARATIONS. "LONDON, July 16. Reuter's correspondent in Singapore reports that the British Com-mander-in-Chief in the Far East (Sir Robert Brooke-Popham) said to-day: “Come what may. we are fully prepared.” He also said he was confident 'that whatever happened in I the Far East, the British defences would not be found wanting. WASHINGTON. July 1' . There is reason to believe Japan is likely to make a penetration m. Incio-China and Thailand peacefully, namely, by occupation of strategic points on the ground of the necessity of maintaining peace there. Japan may iararnge a convenient reques.. from Thailand to take over the maintenance of order on the basis or an alleged admission by the latter oi inability to do so themselves, willi consequent danger of chaos. Ine United States might overlook a more or less unobtrusive penetration on such terms, but. there is reason tn believe that overt seizures in these areas, with a spectacular display ol military force, would compel a strong ' American remonstrance, rhis would mainly be economic, involving probably limitations on petroleum exports and restrictions on the silk trade.