PRESSURE BY JAPAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 6 August 1941, Page 5

PRESSURE BY JAPAN

ADMITTED BY THAI OFFICIALS Momentous Decision Being Faced LARGE REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE AT SINGAPORE (Rec. 9.30 a.m ) London, Aug. 3. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain at Bangkok says that I hai officials do not deny that Japan is bringing pressure to bear for granting certain demands. Ihe general impression is that Thailand is facing a momentous decision in her relations with Japan, Britain and the United States. The Japanese attitude to Thailand is still causing great concern. The Tokio newspaper “Kokumin’’ said Thailand should follow indo-China’s example and secure her defence through Japan’s assistance. It added: “The East Indies is an indispensable element in » Japan-protected co-prosperity sphere. However, Thailand is Japan’s immediate concern. It is authoritatively announced that Britain's consultations are still progressing with other governments concerned regarding the application of far-reaching financial measures of control against Japan. There is no doubt that the operation of these measures is already practical and not theoretical and seriously affect supplies for Japan. An agency message from Singapore states that large reinforcements of British and Indian troops, R.A.F. personnel, naval ratings, marines and engine-room artificers have arrived there from a British port via Bombay, where the Indians, largely gunners, were picked up. •The Maharajah of Patiala was also aboard on a tour of Indian troop* at Malayan stations. The Domei News Agency said that two Japanese army units i have occupied an unnamed town near the border of Thailand and Indo-China, intimating that it is located in Cambodia.

The Japanese Government announced | the doubling of the marine war risk in- ; surance rate. The Domei News Agency m a broadj cast dispatch from Bangkok .said that [Thailand had granted diplomatic recog- ! nition to Manchukuo, to be effective as j from Ist August. The Japanese For- ! eign Office similarly announced it l last Friday but British sources denied it However, the Domei News Agency again announced it to-day.—U.P.A.