WAR ONLY ALTERNATIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 7

WAR ONLY ALTERNATIVE

FIRM STATEMENT FROM WASHINGTON By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 6, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6 "The question of war or peace in the Pacific depends upon whether the United States and Japan respect and understand each other's positions," said the Prime Minister of Japan, Prince Konoye, in an interview at Kyoto. He added that Japan's alliance with the Axis Powers was based on such mutual recognition, and the United States could have the same as a "quid pro quo, but no overtures to America on the subject were planned. "Should the United States refuse, and persist in regarding the alliance as a hostile act, there is no other course than war," said Prince Konoye. "We are ready to accept the challenge and fight to a finish." In Washington, the United States Secretary of the Navy, Colonel W. F. Knox, said the Japanese-German-Italian alliance was the most serious challenge to the American mode of life in history. The alliance was directed against the United States, which was the largest obstacle in the path of the totalitarian Powers. Should Britain fail to stem the tide of tyranny, international brigands would surround the United States, whose destruction would be their greatest victory. "Never understanding us, they suppose our people can be brought under their iron rule," said Colonel Knox. "Both as an American and a Navy official, 1 know differently. If a fight is forced upon us, we will be ready. We have never lost a war yet. The acquisition of eight bases from Britain has moved the Atlantic theatre of war a thousand miles to the eastward.

Colonel Knox declared there were hundreds, and even thousands, of saboteurs in the United States. Every shipyard, factory, arsenal and powder plant must be guarded. Although no official general order has been issued, Americans in Shanghai who had approached their authorities for guidance have been recommended to evacuate the women and children without delay. The regular commercial means of communication to America are booked to capacity for two months ahead as the result of a sudden rush to evacuate women and children in the last few days.