MILITARY MOVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 194, 18 July 1941, Page 5

MILITARY MOVE

CONTEMPLATION IN TOKIO.

SIGNIFICANT POINTERS. (United Press Association—Copvright) (lice. 9 a.m.) RUGBY, July 17. Before the resignation of the Japanese Cabinet, news reaching London suggested that some military move by the Japanese forces was under consideration. There had been a revival from many sources of reports originally coming from Shanghai that IndoChina was one of Japan's probable objectives.

At the beginning of the month the British Ambassador in Tokio specifically raised the question of these reports with the Japanese Government and received a categorical assurance that they were inaccurate.

The possibility that demands on Vichy lor the cession of bases in French Indo-China are likely to be made in the near future is discussed in to-day's London times, which

cites a report to the effect that the demands will be laid beiore the Vichy Cabinet within the next few days. Among the factors pointing to the direction of a vigorous Japanese policy are the facts tliat the port of Kobe has been closed for the past ten days, the calling up of reservists, reports of troop movements, and so on. Until the names of the members of the new Japanese Cabinet are announced it is, however, mere speculation to suggest what action is likely to result from the Cabinet resignation. The official Tokio explanation is that it was undertaken in order "to make room lor a stronger Government to cope with the national and international situation."

The natural implication to be taken from such an explanation is that a more and not less active policy will be adopted towards the international situation. EMBARRASSED BY NAZIS.

One of the main, difficulties which must have faced the Japanese Government in the formulation of its foreign policy has been Germany's volte face in her relations with Russia, who is Japan's most powerful neighbour. Alter officially adhering to the Axis, Japan was persuaded to follow tin example of Germany and sign a. pact ot neutrality with Russia in spite of the inconsistency of such a pact with the anti-Comintern commitments ot the Axis agreement. Nevertheless Japan signed such a pact with Russia. Hardly was this done before Germany, without notifying the Japanese, launched a full-scale attack on Russia. Thus Japan, who can no longer place reliance and good faitfi.on Nax.i Germany, has been le;t in an embarrass-j ing position.—Official Wireless.