JAPAN’S INTENTION

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1941, Page 5

JAPAN’S INTENTION

NOT TO BE AT WAR With British Empire [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J (Rec. 12.33.) NEW YORK, Oct. 29. Mr Hallett Abend, New York Times’s” correspondent, writing from Honolulu, said: "One of the main reasons delaying a Japanese attack on Vladivostock is not hesitance regarding American intentions, but the fact that such an attack automatically would involve Japan in the war with the whole British Empire. Leading Government personalities in Australia and New Zealand have declared unhesitatingly that they would consider their Dominions at war with Japan if the latter attacked the Soviet. This attitude would vitally affect American politics in the Far East, for, while there might be an American- reluctance to get into the fray solely to support the Soviet, there would be no hesitance in going to the aid of outposts of democracy in the Far East if they were involved in war with Japan.” MORE JAPANESE. TO LEAVE EAST INDIES. (Rec. 9.30). BATAVIA, October 28. It has been learned that large scale evacuations of Japanese subjects m the Dutch East Indies will shortly be continued, when over one thousand Japanese women <and children will leave the Netherlands East Indies. A similar number has been evacuated hitherto.

War With Japan

(AN ,AMERICAN'S PREDICTION.

x NEW YORK, October 28. Mr Arthu'r Menken, a camera reporter, nas returned from the Pacific font. He said: The United States is being squeezed on both sides by the Axis, and it is facing a showdown, in which "it will hav e to fight the Japanese, and probably soon.” He said that war would be the responsibility of the militarv clique in Japan, because the Japanese people were not hostile. , .. x Far Eastern observers believe that peace in the Pacific hinges on the outcome of the five days’ deliberations by the Japanese Diet, beginning on November 15. General Tojo is Expected to announce his policy regarding the prosecution of national affairs, particularly the attitude to America. Admiral Nomura is expected to travel from Washington to explain to the Japanese Cabinet the temper of the United States public opinion, which he believes is solidly behind Mr. Roosevelt, in the attitude to Japan. Meanwhile. Herr Ott, assisted by a horde of Nazis in Tokio, is doing his utmost to lobby the Diet members in a bellicose mood. He is also endeavouring to work up Japanese public opinion, with bitter attacks in the Press against Britain and America.

Analysis of the available Japanese opinion shows that financial trading and shipping interests fear war witn Britain and the United States. They say that if Japan is involved in war in’ the Pacific, she cannot expect help from Germany. The United' Press Shanghai correspondent says: According' to reliable Japanese sources, high officers of the Japanese armies in China and Mianchukuo conferred with General lojo and Airmy leaders, last week, and discussed the extent to which the Army would be willing to evacuate China if the Japanese Government reached an understanding with the United States, or the possibility of a final, great ‘campaign in the attempt to end the China war.

Informed quarters suggest that Japan is trying merely to prolong the Washington negotiations until the golden opportunity arrives, eitner through the collapse of Russia, or the United States’ involvement m the war, when Japan would seize Thailand.

The Japanese army is speeding up all emergency preparations, although mobilisation of troops appears halted because of the lack of equipment tor recruits. Ichiro Kiyose, leader of the Reformist faction in the House of Representatives, says: The Japanese and United States negotiations are doomed to failure, because America is completely blind to Japan’s dependence on the South Seas for fuel, minerals 1 and raw materials. . We must not forget Japan has a role to play at the close of the GermanSoviet war. After the fall of Moscow and Leningrad, the Soviet will undoubtedly take to guerilla warfare. Japan should have a trump card to play at that time.” LONDON October 28.

The Vichy radio states that units of the Japanese navy left Foochow for an unknown destination. A United States marine sentry, on duty at the main gate of the American Embassy at Pekin, suffered a flesh wound, when an unidentified Oriental, in civilian clothes, fired four pistol shots from behind. A Domei Agency report said the asdaflant was a Chinese gunman, who escaped. Scores of persons were burnt to death, and thousands were made homeless, when a fire, the cause of which is unknown, swept through the waterfront district of Tsingtao.

Six Chinese perished in a fire which destroyed large stocks of chemical celluloid in a warehouse at Shanghai. It is reliably learned that the Japanese Government may soon recall M. Ishizawa, the present Japanese Consul General, in the Dutch East Indies, and replace him by Shunsuke Asada, who is at present Japanese Consul-General at Bangkok. He is a well-known troublemaker, and reliable sources are of the opinion that such an appointment would not be greeted enthusiastically here, and might indicate the Japanese Government is looking for new incidents.

AMERICAN PROTEST TO JAPAN.

(Received Mid-night). PEIPING, October 28. American authorities have protested to the Japanese Government against the shooting of a United States marine, and demanded strong measures against the assailant.

AUSTRALIAN PRESS MAGNA lE'S VIEW.

(Rec. 8.35). LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28. Sir Keith Murdoch (Australian newspaper owner), in fan interview on his arrival here by Clipper, said: “Australia owes a tremendous aebt to the United States. The presence of the American fleet in the Pacific profoundly affects the Japanese situation, and gives Australia and New Zealand, as well as the East Indies, plenty of time for preparations. They now feel they could withstand any invasion, and feel tnat the Pacific situation is well in hand. Sir K. Murdoch was questioned on the policy of the new labour Prime Minister. Mr. J l . Curtin. He said: “It will probably depend very much on what happens in the Paci-

fic. The Australian public wants to uive Mr. Curtin a chance.” Sir _K. Murdoch ’is flying to Washington tomorrow, going to New York towards the end of the week, and leaving lor London early in November. GERMAN RAIDER. SHANGHAI, October 28. . The former German merchantman, Quito, manned by a' German crew, and flying the Japanese merchant and military flags, arrived from Yokohama. The ship was camouflaged, and the name painted out. Naval officials believe that the Quito was used as a supply-ship for the southern Pac’fic raiders. They are of op’nion that she was forced to enter Shanghai, due to a shortage of supplies in Japan. The Quito was apparently not equipped with guns for raiding. NETHERLANDS INDIES BONDS. PA WELLINGTON. October 29. The Netherlands Consulate in Wellington announces that registration will shortly be possible of Netherlands Indies Government Bonds held in Allied and Neutral countries .with the purnose of eventually obtaining payment of interest on these bonds.