Japs Strive For German-Soviet Peace

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1943, Page 3

Japs Strive For GermanSoviet Peace

(Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 27. For the past six months, the Japanese Ambassador to Russia (Sato) has been attempting to induce Russia and Germany to talk peace, says the Stockholm, correspondent of the British United Press. Japanese fears that an Axis defeat is impending, after which Japan’s position would be hopeless, is believed to be the reason for Sato’s activities. Japan, it is also believed, fears that Russia will eventually allow the Allies to use Siberian bases for raids against the Japanese mainland.

M. Stalin’s announcement of adherence to the Casablanca policy answered Sato’s early efforts in a new approach reported to be based on the argument that Russia and Germany will not benefit from a fight to a finish on the eastern front for' the benefit of the Western democracies. “Extraordinarily Favourable” Meanwhile, Soviet publicists continue to play up the theme that Germany can be defeated only by a heavy blow from east and west.

The trade union organ “Trud” says: “An overwhelming majority of the British and American newspapers agree that it is necessary to fight the idea that the war can be won by the Air Force alone. The British and American Press almost unanimously says it is necessary to take advantage of the favourable situation, and not miss an opportunity of inflicting a decisive, crushing blow on the Fascists.” The leading -Moscow radio political commentator (Viktorov) declared: “The world is tensely expectant. Conditions have become extraordinarily favourable for our allies as regards military operations on the Continent. The Luftwaffe is helpless and cannot interfere with Allied raiders. “The so-called Atlantic Wail does not exist. U-boat warfare has taken a decisive turn in favour of the Allies. All strategic approaches to Italy are in the hands of the Allies, who have undenied mastery of the Mediterranean.”