TOKIO’S RECALCITRANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 206, 1 August 1941, Page 5

TOKIO’S RECALCITRANCE.

LITTLE HEED TO REASON. LONDON, Julv 30.

The British newspapers profess to see little sign that Mr Eden's hope that “those responsible for the destinies of the Japanese Empire will reflect while there is yet time where their present policy is leading them,” will be fulfilled.

A Japanese Foreign Office statement that American Press comment is detrimental to “opportunities for harmonious understanding between Japan and America now that the Freueh-Japanese joint defence is an accomplished fact.” is regarded as an endeavour by tlie third Axis partner to apply the technique hitherto successfully exploited by Hitler of relying upon the democracies to acquiesce in a fait accompli and thus allow ample time for preparation for further aggression. The decision of the Government of India, taken on July 2G, to freeze all Japanese assets in India will have a considerable effect on Japanese economy. India's annual imports from Japan arc normally valued at between £14,000.000 to £15,000,000, forming 38 per cent, of Japan’s exports to the British Empire, and 6 per cent, of her total exports. India’s principal export to Japan is raw cotton, upon which to a substantial extent the Japanese textile industry depends. India was also Japan’s main supplier of manganese ore and mica and contributed substantially to her supplies of pig iron and steel scrap and iron ore. ANGLO-THAI RELATIONS. The Bangkok radio, in a special broadcast, stated that British and Thailand relations were closer than ever. British troop movements in the Far East were quite naturally only defensive measures. Thailand had recently signed a 11011-aggression pact with Britain. who had never been known to break such pacts. Japan had not threatened Thailand nor had she reason to do so. If tlie Japanese wanted to move south there was no reason to pass across Thailand. That would involve a longer route. Japan was a peace-loving country desiring to raise the status of Asiatics and also to gain full independence for all Asiatic countries.

A special committee, including representatives of the Japanese Army, Embassy and Finance Minister’s agency has been established in Shanghai for the purpose of executing retaliatory measures against British and American interests. It will supervise business transactions between Chinese and Japanese on the one hand and foreigners on the other.