1940 Olympic Games Vetoed By Japan; Cost Urged as Reason

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1938, Page 5

1940 Olympic Games Vetoed By Japan; Cost Urged as Reason

(Received 8.30 a.m.) TOKIO. July 14. ijjMIE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WELFARE HAS VETOED THE OLYMPIC GAMES. WHICH WERE TO HAVE BEEN HELD AT TOKIO IN 1940. Although the Games have not been formally cancelled, the Dome! News Agency interprets the decision as tantamount to their abandonment. Cabinet is certain to confirm the veto tomorrow. The decision arises from unwillingness to spare war materials for the vast building material the Games would entail, as it is considered inadvisable in view of the enormous strain of the China war on Japan’s financial resources.

The same reason has prompted the decision of the Ministry of Commerce to postpone the international exhibition planned to be held simultaneously with the Olympic Games, pending termination of the war in China. Mr Michimasa Soyeshima, a member of the International Games Committee, has expressed regret at the action, and the hope that the Games may bo held at Tokio in 1948. Comte de Baillet-Latour, president of the International - Olympic Committee, said the Games certainly will not be abandoned. The international committee will meet immediately to decide where they will be held. Finland Wants Games. Helsingfors will immediately request the Olympic Committee for permission to proceed with preparations for the 1940 Games, says a message from the Finnish capital. It is understood in Berlin that ft is very likely that the Games will be held in Finland. Germany is-greatly upset at the change. Plans were completed to send 100 athletes and 100.000 visitors to Tokio in special liners. Thousands of people have been learning Japanese under State encouragement. Besides not holding the Games, a later Tokio message says Japan is reported to have decided not to allow Japanese to compete wherever they are held. The Ministry of Welfare plans a national athletic meeting in 1940. Mr Brundage. of Chicago, chairman of the United States Olympic Committee, in a statement, %aid the abandonment by the Japanese of the Games would not prevent the 1940 event. The Games would be held “unless the whole world is at war,” he said.