AXIS "PEACE PLANS"

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 3 May 1941, Page 7

AXIS "PEACE PLANS"

'ONLY ONE ANSWER." LONDON, May I

The Japan Times-Advertiser, Tokio, an unofficial organ of the Japanese Foreign Office, has published on "higher inspiration" a schedule ol peace terms which it states will be considered at an ultimate conference between the reprcsentativs of Japan, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States, Great Britain, and the British Empire. Since Mr Matsuoka has just returned from Europe it is considered that the higher inspiration may have derived from Berlin.

The principal terms cited arc as follow: — ~_

(1) Absolute naval parity between the "Axis group" and the United States and the British Empire. (2) The naval bases at Gibraltar, Alexandria, Malta, Singapore, and Hawaii to be demilitarised.

(3) England to remain the heart of the British Empire. (4) 'the whole of Europe to be organised as one entity under Germany and her "junior partner, - ' Italy. (5) The whole of Northern Africa to be at the disposal of the Axis group. (6) Australia to relax her racial laws to permit the unrestricted entry of Japanese nationals. (7) The sphere of influence of the United States to include Iceland. Greenland. Canada. Central and South America, with the proviso that no ruling hegemonv shall be permitted which is inimical to the Axis group. BALLOON'S FLIGHT FAILS.

In New York a high diplomat said there is surprisingly little reaction to the peace terms, which are generally regarded as an Axis trial balloon which* has failed in its flight. American opinion simply is not interested in the proposed terms. Nevertheless there is a remarkable tendency here to welcome the idea of a visit by Mr Matsltoka to America.

j The iS’ew York Times reports Mr Cordell Hull as saying lie had not read the terms but he indicated that they were far apart from the American position. The New York Post, in an editorial to day, says : '“Hitler has ordered the Nazi Propaganda Ministry to turn on another peace offensive, this lime ! aimed directly at the United States. The Japan Times-Advertiscr’s offer is an act as generous as handing a man a hari-kari knife. The peace offensive i depicts in grim reality a world in i which all dreams of isolation are dead, although some few dreamers still live.” I The editorial concludes: “There is only one answer to this clumsy whisper. We must reply that we know our peril and we will fight the danger.” Mr Dewitt Mackenzie, special commentator of the Associated Press o! America, says: “One of the most extraordinary documents ok the war is the Japan fimos-Advertiser's abstract of an exploration of peace terms which, in the language of the Axis, are Napoleonic.in scope and are definitely those of conquerors.” Air Alackenzie says the terms are of no value as a basis for peace negotiations, but are important as showing Ax ; s objectives Many observers believe Hitler would welcome peace now, 1 at would naturally accept only a conqueror’s terms.” VISIT BY PRESIDENT NEWSPA VVAX - S SUGGESTION. (Pec. JO a.in.) TOKJOf May 2. Instead of Air Alatsuoka visiting the United States, the Kokumin tShimbun suggests that President Roosevelt visit Japan for the purpose of “putting an end to the present world war.” ■ *

Saying he ought to look squarely at Japan as she .stands in the Greater East Asia, the paper adds that President Wilson made a personal call on the European Powers and put an end to the World War. Why should not Mr Poosevelt follow suit for the same noble mission ! J

Terminating a decade of controversy between Tokio and 'Yokohama authorities and businessmen, Cabinet has formally decided to open Tokio harbour to. foreign trade, although limiting it to that of the yen bloc countries only.

Shanghai reports that Mrs Chow Ving-tsan. secretary of the Chungking Chinese Court iii the International Settlement, her husband', infant, and servant were kidnapped from their home to-day. Japanese Nanking agents arc suspected.