FRICTION EVIDENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23851, 30 December 1940, Page 7

FRICTION EVIDENT

JAPAN AND RUSSIA MUTUAL CRITICISMS ANGLO-SOVIET RELATIONS (Received December 29, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28 Evidence of friction between Russia and Japan is given by the publicity organs of the two countries. The Japanese newspaper Nichi Nichi Shimbun complains' that, although the new Japanese Ambassador to Moscow, Mr. Tatekawa, has tried hard, he has been unable to improve Japanese relations with the Soviet.

Simultaneously, the Moscow radio stated that anti-war feeling was spreading among the Japanese troops in China. It reported that troops in the employ of the Wang Ching-wei regime had deserted to Marshal Chiang Kaishek, and also that the recent assassinations of Japanese officers in Shanghai were the work of anti-war Japanese.

A lengthy article on Japanese conditions, printed in Moscow newspapers, describes the instability of the new regime, growing, domestic and foreign difficulties!, worsening of the economic and food situation, and mounting discontent regarding the Chinese war. The article is one of a series the widespread publication of which is causing alarm among the Japanese. Negotiations aimed at improving British and Soviet relations were started when Mr. Anthony Eden, the new Foreign Minister, conferred with the Russian Ambassador, M. Ivan Maisky, at the Foreign Office. They are reported to have exchanged mutual assurances of a desire to improve relations. GERMAN SEA CAMPAIGN DIRE CONSEQUENCES FACED HARDER PROBLEM THAN IN 1917 WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 Writing in the Military Review, the editor, Captain M. R. Ivammerer, said that if the British can withstand the air raids until the Royal Air Force obtains something resembling' parity, the Navy can save the Empire. He gave a warning that Britain faces more dire consequences from German submarines and pocket battleships than during the darkest days of 1917. The British blockade was less decisive than in the World War, although it was most important. The submarine and pocket battleships campaign of 1941 would be more difficult to combat than the submarines were in 1917. Nevertheless, the problem should be capable of solution in 1941. Aerial warfare against Britain was intended to crush morale, but English bravery and doggedness had stood up well. FRENCH IN PHILIPPINES (Received December 2», 5.35 p.m.) MANILA, Dec. 29 A group of French residents in the Philippines lias announced the formation of a local chapter of the Free French movement.