FAR EAST CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 25 July 1941, Page 5

FAR EAST CRISIS

JAPAN’S INTENTIONS

STILL UNCERTAIN ALLIED NAVIES Ready for Action AGAINST JAPAN. [Aus. & N.Z. Caale Assn.l (Rec. 1.5 a.m.). LONDON. July 21. The Far Eastern situation has become still more intense. This is owing to a report, from America, that the British, American, and Dutch Navies, which ar e ranged over thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean, are now standing by at the alert. The Ame.-ican report adds: They are awaiting to put into action a joint, pre-conceived plan, in the event of Japan striking south.

Japanese Navy

REPORTED SOUTHWARD MOVE.

LONDON. July 24. The Japanese authorities, in the meantime, have curtailed travel, inc ports of Kobe, Shimonseki and Nagasaki, according to Tokio information, are “virtually closed.’ Reports of Japanese naval movements to the southward are descr.oed as “probably correct.”

Landing at Saigon

EXPECTED JAPANESE MOVE.

(Rec. 1.5). SHANGHAI, July 24. Foreign Intelligence reports here indicate that, unless present plans are delayed, Japanese will land small forces, which at present are based m the Canton area, at Saigon, in IndoChina, at this week-end. Ship movements in connection therewith are already under way. The Japanese occupation of Saigon is expected to prove peaceable, m view of a reported agreement ot the French Government at Vichy to the occupation, plus the weakness or the French armed forces at Saigon.

General Wavell

JAPANESE REPORTS

(Rec. 1.5). LONDON, July 24. Japanese reports claim that General Waveil has arrived in Chungking from India, and that he has conferred with Marshal Chiang-Kai-Shek and British Admiral Clark Kerr, and that thereafter he will go to Moscow by air. GENERAL WAVELL. NOT AT CHINESE CAPITAL. (Rec. 11.30) RUGBY, July 24 It is learned officially in London that there is no truth in the report that General Waveil arrived at Olec" 2 ! •». LONDON, July 24. The report from Japanese sources at Shanghai that General Waveil is arriving in Chungking to confer witn Marshal Chiang-Kai-Shek has been officially denied in London. PANAMA CANAL CLOSED TO JAPAN. (Rec. 1.15). TOKIO, July 24. The Japanese Information Boaro spokesman said: ‘‘Japan has been negotiating with the United States for the passage of Japan’s shins through the Panama Canal, and she is continuing the negotiations, she having learned that other ships shall be allowed to pass through the Canal, despite the official explanation that the canal is under repairs. The Domei News Agency Washington correspondent reports Mr Sumner Welles told Admiral Nomura (Japanese Ambassador) that tne Panama Canal was closed indefinitely.

New York Paper

URGES U.S.A. TO CHECK JAPAN.

(Rec. 9.30). NEW YORK. July 24. The “New York Times,” in an editorial, says;M-'‘Japan must be made - ■ cleamWb understand that 'aggresaction against Siberia, or the W East Indies, or Indo-China will be met by prompt American retaliation. We directly and legitimately are interested in these areas. Our interest in Indo-China is a strategic one. We do not yet know precisely what the Government concessions at Vichy, is making in Indo-China under pressure from Herr Hitler, but Japan will only partly be right if she believes that the United States would not intervene in the Pacific Ocean because we are concentrating on dangers. threatening from Europe. We still have a powerful fleet in the Pacific, and we have great economic weapons. For example, an embargo by us upon Japan’s exports would cripple Japan’s economy. We also could impose an embargo on imports to Japan from America, which would close a source of vital oil and steel for Japan. We hitherto have avoided sanctions, because of a deliberate poljcv of appeasement, but appeasement will not be necessary if Japan chooses to embark on aggression. We should deal to Japan’s finance and industry a deadly blow if she threat- ’ ens any American interest in the Far East.”

U.S.A ACTION AGAINST JAPAN. EXPECTED ECONOMIC EMBARGOES. NEW YORK, July 2.J. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent, reporting that the United States is ready to impose vigorous economic sanctions against Japan, says it is considered that the Government will express its displeasure by all positive action short of war. as follows 1 ” Firstly, the stoppage of gold nunchases wherebv. Japan is now obtaining dollar exchange. Secondly the freezing of all Japanese assets in the United State.*, Thirdly the imposition of a complete embargo on essential exports to Japan, including petroleum products. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT. STRENGTHENING MOBILISATION (Rec 110). NEW YORK, July 24. The “New York Times” Tokio correspondent says; The Japanese are inclined to consider Herr Hitler’s predictions to be indicative of the German determination .r'atner than to observers deduce that the Japanese Government is continuing the poW of watchful waiting and Pr The re £oanese Government is now firstly strengthening the h c ° un Hen internal structure, which, had been disturbed by divergent views as to the result of the Russo-German war. Secondly, the strengthening of the Japanese mobilisation, for which is regulating commerce, travel and communications.