Japan's Loyalty to Axis

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 1, 2 January 1941, Page 7

Japan's Loyalty to Axis

Leader’s New Year Aspirations

PEOPLE WARNED OF HARD TIMES AHEAD

United Press Association—By Electri® Telegraph—Copyright.

Received Wednesday, 9.30 p.m. TOKIO, Dec. 31.

The Japanese Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) and members of tho Government in New Year statements issued through the Domei News Agency, reiterated Japan’s loyalty to the Axis and her determination to proceed vigorously with her Greater East Asia programme. Borne of the statements, while not referring directly to President Roosevelt’s speech, drew attention to the United Btates’ economic pressure and urged the people to unite in preparation to withstand greater American pressure. The statements generally, emphasised: Firstly, that Japan was committed to the creation of a Greater East Asia bloc of prosperity composed of China, Japan and Manchukuo to which the United Btates and Britain were opposed; secondly, that Japan as a “have not” nation supports the Italian-German programme for a new world order; thirdly, Japan’s great need of internal unity. References to Russia were notably missing, indicating that the Government has not yet abandoned hope of an agreement.

Prince Konoye said Japan was firmly determined to break the Anglo-Ameri-can conception of the maintenance oi the statos quo in East Asia. “It must be realised that the road towards the final goal will be hard. International relations will further be strained in 1941. Everlasting peace and prosperity can be attained only by forcing largescale changes. Italy and Germany have undertaken the reorganisation of Europe and Japan the reorganisation of East Asia.”