Tokio Launches Final Peace Effort

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 7

Tokio Launches Final Peace Effort

Dispatch of Envoy to U.S.

PRESS WARNINGS United Pres* Association—Bv Electrla Telegrapn—Copyright. NEW YORK, Nov. 6. Japan embarked today on what the press described as her final effort in the Washington negotiations, which may decide “whether the entire world shall have peace," says the Tokio correspondent of the United Press. The Japan Times and Advertiser, organ of the Tokio Foreign Office, says: “Whether the clipper carrying Mr. Kurusu to America will prove to be the peace ark of the skies depends upon Washington’s reception of this last opportunity to make amends for her aggression and to restore occasion for an amicable settlement. By dispatching an envoy as a powerful aide to Admiral Nomura, Cabinet can disclose to the people that it has gone to the last limit in seeking to persuade America from the path of intolerance." However, the people were warned against ‘ ‘ unnecessary optimism.' ’ The Times Advertiser says that Japan will not change her basic requirements that the China affair should be settled in Japan's way, and that the United States should accept Japan’s co-pros-perity sphere. ‘ ‘ Into this twofold doctrine, America will have to fit its new policy without obstruction,’ f the paper says.

The Nichi Nichi Shimbun continued its editorial attacks. It charged Washington with trying to prolong the negotiations merely in order to win time to improve the American defence in the Pacific and Atlantic.

However, due to official instructions from the Foreign Office, Japaneso press comment is generally more moderate. There are even hints in comments such as that of the ultra-nationalistic Hochi of hopes that, if the Japanese-American troubles are solved, the way to a broader solution of the world conflict may be settled. The diplomatic correspondent of tho United Press at Shanghai expresses the opinion that Mr. Kurusu will attempt to obtain trade, especially oil, concessions from the United States by threatening military moves to break the A.B.C.D. encirclement.

Military information, says this correspondent, indicates that the Japanese have garrisoned 50,000 troops in Tongking, Northern Indo-China, and 30,000 in South Indo-China, plus numerous planes. They are apparently preparing to strike at the Burma highway. It is significant that the GovernorGeneral of Formosa, Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa, is conferring with the Japanese Prime Minister, General Tojc, and the Minister of the Navy, Admiral Shimada, since foreign militarists believe that Japan would require a minimum of 150,000 troops to sever the Burma Road, the majority of whom, in addition to supplies, would be from Formosa.

The Washington correspondent of the United Press says that Japan is sending with Mr. Kurusu new compromise proposals for an adjustment of Far Eastern issues. It is believed that they include assurances of non-aggression by Japan and also a bid for limited trade arrangements with the United States. Diplomatic circles expressed the opinion that there would be little hope of settlement unless the proposals were almost spectacularly diffeffrent from those proposed so far. The convvsations are at present in a state of virtual suspension, with the exception of routine negotiations regarding the freezing regulations, credits and the supplying and fuelling of Japanese ships touching American ports.

The Tokio Times-Advertiser, in an editorial to-day, says: “ There is always the possibility and even tho probability of a direct march on the Burma Road." The editorial stressed the strength of Japan's central position and ability to move in a number of different directions requiring her potential enemies to distribute and diffuse their defensive strength. Major-General Magruder, head of tho American military delegation to China, boarded a plane at Chungking for Rangoon.

It was announced in Tokio to-day lliat fish will he rationed on November 23. The Associated Press report's that correct name of the mined ship is the Kelii Maru. One hundred and fortythree of the passengers and crew arc still unaccounted for. The Domei Agency said 247 had been picked up including 10 seriously injured. The rescuers had also recovered 17 bodies. Japan Strives to Prevent Break KURUSU’S MISSION TO U-S. WASHINGTON, Nov. «. Some quarters consider that Tokio’s sudden decision to send Mr. Kurusu. special Japanese envoy, on an urgent, mission to America is evidence of Japanese anxiety to avoid an open break with the United States. They comment that tho seven-point programme outlined recently in the Japan Times and Advertiser constituted Japan's highest demands, which were planned for use as a bargaining basis of future negotiations. It is evident, however, that the United States is in no mood to consider any agreement involving the seven points, which are described as “preposterous. insolent, and fantastic.” They have definitely had the effect of stiffening America's attitude against Japan. It is anticipated that all negotiations

w’ll mark time until the arrival of Mr. Kurusu about November 17, when conversations will be undertaken without delay. Personally, Mr. Kurusu is well liked in the United States. Ho is regarded as pro-American and anti-Axis. As Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, he signed the Axis alliance, but the belief in Washington is that Mr. Kurusu opposed the step and put his signature on the agreement with Germany only under instructions i’rom Tokio. He is married to an American woman, the former Alice Little, and served as Japanese Vice-Consul in Chicago and Consul in New York and Honolulu. According to the Washington correspondent of the United Press, diplomatic circles in Washington feel that the visit of Mr. Kuruau is significant because: —

1. It deoau nstrates tho conservative nature of the new Cabinet.

2. Mr. Kurusu’s presence in Washington when the Diet meets in midNovember will tend to counteract the explosive possibilities of the situation. 3. Mr. Kurusu may release Admiral Nomura, Japanese Ambassador to Washington, who has expressed a desire to return home. It is reported that he feels that he has done everything possible in a difficult situation.