SOVIET & JAPAN

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1945, Page 5

SOVIET & JAPAN

I NEUTRALITY AGREEMENT.

(Rec. 10.40.) NEW YORK, .Mar. 17. Tokio radio announced that Morito Morishima, Japanese Minister to Russia, has left Moscow for Tokio on important business. The United Press Agency suggests the trip is connected with theJJms-sian-Japanese neutrality treaty, the date for an extension of which is April 25. Tokio radio stated: Emperor- ,JJ'rohito on Sunday visited ToiSo’s bombed areas. He expressed deep concern for the welfare of the raid victims, who were profoundly moved by the Imperial solicitude ’and reaffirmed their indefatigable resolution to crush the British and American enemies. Tokio radio stated that, owing to the' critical war situation, the Imperial Diet elections will not be held. Tiie .members will have their periods of office indefinitely extended. SPAIN AND JAPAN RUPTURE REPORTED POSSIBLE (Rec. 10.10) LONDON, March 18 A British United Press correspondent in Madrid stated: Authoritative sources say that the Spanish Government: is contemplating breaking off diplomatic relations with Japan. This would be followed up by a declaration of war. The reports of the Japanese atrocities in the Philippines including their murder of Spanish civilians, and their violation of the Spanish Consulates have aroused general indigation. U.S. AND THE ORIENT. (Rec. 11.0.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 17. A State Department spokesman, Mr. Charles Taft, in a broadcast, declared: “The spirit of the Crimea decisions, with their espousal of democratic right, will apply to Asia as well as Europe. We must insist that Asiatic countries and colonies shall get shipping and supplies to carry on, and a fair break when the fighting is over. Great populations of the Far East have further to go than the West. They offer one of the greatest opportunities for expanded world trade, and a higher standard of living, so it is in our interest to help them all we ciik particularly the Chinese.