Japs Prepare For War With Russian Forces In Siberia

Northern Advocate, 4 September 1941, Page 6

Japs Prepare For War With Russian Forces In Siberia

-“NEW YORK TIMES ” (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 3. WHILE EUROPE IS LOOKED IN A DEATH STRUGGLE AND ' JAPAN AND AMERICA ARE BANDYING POLITICAL PLATITUDES, JAPAN’S KWANTUNG ARMY pVERLORDING MANCHURIA IS RUSHING PREPARATIONS FOR WHAT SEEMS AN ALL-OUT, FULL-DRESS WAR AGAINST THE SOVIET’S SIBERIAN FORCES, REPORTS THE “NEW YORK TIMES” CORRESPONDENT AT SHANGHAI. According to reliable reports, he says, Japan is concentrating the mightiest army ever assembled in the Far East along the strategic south Manchurian railway.

Awaiting Right Time * For mile after mile along ihe railway there are shelters in which tanks, artillery, bombs, ammunition oi every conceivable calibre and vast reserves of food and medical supplies are stored. It seems as though the Japanese war lords have chosen eastern Siberia as their next field of operations and are awaiting a favourable opportunity to begin hostilities. Making his first public statement since July 30, Prince Konoye, Japanese prime Minister told a conference in Tokio instituted by the National Service Association of Government leaders and representatives of war industries that Japan is facing the gravest crisis in her history and therefore total mobilisation is necessary to overcome the emergency. A meeting of cabinet and financial and industrial leaders under the auspices of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association passed a resolution declaring that, in view of the tense situation, the Government and people must speedily complete the wartime structure and force ahead the establishment of the greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere. Encirclement ? The afternoon edition of the Jap-anese-owned “Japan Times and Advertiser,’’ published in Tokio says that the arrival of Soviet missions in the United States has reopened “the whole question of Japan’s northern defence. Japan could not stand idly by while a scheme of northern encirclement was in the making.” It was also stated that, with the fast development of aerial transport, the short roue between Alaska and Kamchatka “becomes of increasing significance as a line of pressure against this country.” The Tohakai party in Japan demands the publication of Prince Konoye’s message to Mr. Roosevelt in order to counteract British and American propaganda manoeuvres, enhance the national spirit and exalt the imperial authority. Dust In The Eyes The “Daily Express” declares that reports of Japan’s conciliatory gesture to the U.S. is just a compound of Berch-tesgaden-Nagasaki dust in the eyes. “Why is Japan taking a back seat to the United States ? ” the paper asks. “Because Hitler tells Japan to do so. Hitler knows that America at war would turn out weapons far faster than America at peace, so he seeks to divert the mind of America from war anywhere, anyhow. Obviously there can be no- appeasement with Japan so long as the China war continues.” Berlin Knows Answer A Zurich message says the .entire German Press carries a uniform article stating that Washington will shortly be making the greatest effort to persuade Japan to come to an understanding with the White House. “It can be said, according to reliable information, that these efforts will fail,” stated the article. Japan’s answer will be, ‘never’.” Meeting With Roosevelt The Information Board spokesman at Tokio said the reported proposal that Prince Konoye would like to meet President Roosevelt aboard a warship was without foundation. American Mission A Chungking message reports the arrival of the first member of the Magruder military mission, . Major Dol'ine Ausland, of the United States marine corps, an engineer, who will advise in regard to the construction of the Burma-Yunnan railway, using American Lend or Lease materials. The “New York Herald-Tribune” says the Japanese Prime Minister (Prince Konoye), proposed to meet President Roosevelt on board a warship somewhere in the Pacific in an effort to attain a settlement. Mr. Roosevelt favoured the idea, but proposed basic conditions which proved

unacceptable to Japan. This has caused Washington to take a gloomy view of the prospect of negotiation. The “Herald-Tribune” says Prince Konoye’s proposal reached Mr. Roosevelt early last week as a climax to the negotiations held between the Ambassador (Admiral Nomura) and the President, after Mr. Roosevelt’s conference with Mr. Churchill. Basic Principles

Mr. Roosevelt laid down a series of basic principles, notably the settlement of all international differences by negotiation and equality of commercial opportunity, to which Japan has not so far agreed. The negotiations have not developed as hopefully as was anticipated. There are many difficulties in the way, including pressure by Japanese radicals in the direction of a strong stand against the democracies. Mr. Roosevelt and the Secretary for State (Mr. Cordell Hull). declined today to comment for the Press on the Japanese situation. Dutch Oppose Appeasement A Batavia message says the talks which are reported to be going on between Japan and the United States have interested the authorities in Batavia, who believe the Netherlands East Indies would welcome an agreement between Japan and the United States; but they point out that the Netherlands Indies Government disapproves of the policy of appeasement and it believes an agreement should exclude any semblance of the Japanese policy of aggression. A fourth additional draft bill was submitted to the Volksraad today, providing 46,000,000 guilders for the purpose of further motorising and mechanising the army, extending the army's intelligence service, and increasing the army’s power of resistance by using parachutists and air infantry. The Japanese army and navy in a joint statement, said Japanese forces have been removed from Foochow, in China, and are “heading in a new direction for the purpose of continuing their campaign,” owing to having accomplished their mission of destroying a supply route of the Chinese.