EMPIRE ALERT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 199, 24 July 1941, Page 7

EMPIRE ALERT

DOMINIONS IN TOUCH. BIG FORCES AT SINGAPORE. (Timed Press Association—Copvright) (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, July 23. Although no definite news reached London to-day, there are indications, tor example the tone of the Japanese Press, which lend colour to the belief that events may develop fairly quickly in the Far East. His Majesty’s Government, in conjunction with the Dominions, especially Australia, who lias large forces in Singapore, are carefully watching the situation.

One of the serious aspects of the problem may resolve itself into the “voluntary” cession by Vichy of strategic points which Japan may desire ill Indo-China. The Japanese Government, it is felt, will be mainly actuated by a desire for wliat it hopes to be “quick returns.” l iie Japanese policy in the Far East was the .subject of a written reply by the Foreign Secretary (Air Eden) to a question in the House of Commons.

Mr Eden said the Government was aware of the persistent reports to the effect that the Japanese Government intended to take action to obtain naval and air bases in Southern Indo-China. The reports were the more significant since they coincided with a Japanese Press campaign of inuendo against Britain in respect of both Indo-China and Thailand.

He welcomed the opportunity, therefore, to state that the alleged designs of Britain in both those countries were entirely non-existent. As regards Indo-China, British relations had been much restricted since the collapse of France, though a limited amount of trade continued. As regards Thailand, the British policy was governed by tbe treaty of non-aggression with that country; that treaty was not designed to obtain exclusive advantages, and it was not directed against any third party except in so far as such third party might attempt to interfere with those excellent neighbourly relations, political, economic, and other, which had always existed . between Britain and Thailand.—Official Wireless. VICHY AGREEMENT. “FACILITIES” TO BE GRANTED. (11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Tbe Japanese demands for the use of facilities in Southern IndoChina have been accepted by the Vichy Government. The Vichy spokesman said France saw rio objection to Japan temporarily occupying military bases in IndoChina, provided there were no threats to the colony’s integrity and French sovereignty. Japan bad not made territorial do mauds, but merely wanted to protect Indo-China.

American diplomats predict that tin l French Government’s decision will arouse unfavourable reaction in France. Meanwhile a tight censorship has been clamped on the Japanese demands. A Chungking report states that a large Japanese fleet and 30 troop transports are moving southward following the refusal by the French authorities in Tndo-China to accept tho Japanese demands. It is reported that the French in Indo-China are prepared to resist the Japanese. Troops, planes, and ships are reported to be massed at Hainan.

The Associated Press correspondent at Peking says there is a growing belief that the Japanese army ill North China and Manehukuo is undergoing major shifts: 20 troop trains have passed northward from Tnngshan. Civilian rail traffic in North China is severely restricted, and in Manehukuo it has stopped altogether.

General Okamura lias returned to Peking after inspecting the military situation in Tuner Mongolia. AMERICAN REPRISALS.

The New York Times’s Washington correspondent, reporting that the United States is ready to impose vigorous economic sanctions against Japan, says it is considered the Government, would express its displeasure by all positive action short of war as follows:

(1) The stoppage of gold purchases whereby Japan is now obtaining dollar exchange. (2) The freezing of all Japanese assets in tho United States.

(3) The imposition of a complete embargo on essential exports to Japan, including petroleum products.