CHALLENGE TO JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 267, 9 October 1940, Page 8

CHALLENGE TO JAPAN

BURMA ROAD OPENING. REACTION IN TOKIO. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.10 p.m.) TOKIO, Oct. 8. Japan’s protest against the opening of the Burma Road can be expected •to be on the grounds that it is contrary to the spirit of the three months’ agreement, which is said to have included a tacit understanding of a possibility of an extension of the closure. Japan is also likely to claim violation of the lotter and spirit of the Arita-Craigie agreement of last year, whereby Britain recognised the special position and needs of Japan regarding China and disclaimed any intention to aid or abet Japan’s enemies. The Japanese believe the British notification will not affect the British ban on the transportation of military and other supplies to China via Ilong Ivong.

All indications are that Anglo- , Japanese relations will be very acute, in as much as the British decision was taken after Japan’s con- • elusion of the Tripartite Alliance, also the Japanese Government’s statement regarding its determination to reject all nations assisting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. Consequently, the British action will be regarded as a challenge to Japan.

The British decision to reopen the Burma Road is ascribed by the Japan Times to a desire to “save face” in China and support the Chungking Government as the only force resisting Japan, together with the United The decision is stated to be an unmistakeable indication of Britain taking with the United States a common front against Japan. A Shanghai report says Japan is postponing formal recognition of Mr Wang Ching-wei’s regime which had been scheduled for October 10, the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution. It is understood the postponement is connected with the new Axis alliance, also partly with Japanese hopes of a rapprochement with Russia. INDO-CHINA POSITION.

Indo-China is included in the American evacuation areas. _ . A China Mail dispatch from Haiphong says General Decoux (Governor of Trench Indo-China) is transferring .his headquarters from Hanoi to Hue in “view of recent, developments.”