MUST EXPAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23861, 11 January 1941, Page 9

MUST EXPAND

JAPANESE NATION SOUTH SEAS DIRECTION ADMIRAL'S FRANK UTTERANCE By Telegraph— Press Association —Copyright TOKIO, Jnn. 9 Admiral Baron Osumi, senior naval member of the Supreme War Council, interviewed by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, urged his countrymen to acquire a good knowledge of the South Seas region "preparatory to an expansion in that tion.""The Pacific." he said, "may prove a misnomer. 1 know for certain that the future will see an aggravation of the situation. Japan has got to expand in some direction, and it is the common desire of humanity to expand in the direction of heat and light. Defining "South Seas" "I have yet to hear of a great task performed easily," Admiral Osumi added. "People adhering to the old order or acting contrary to their preachment that God is benevolent to all, are sure to put obstacles in the way of Japan. "There is not the slightest intention by Japan to exploit the South Seas, but they have prevented an understanding of Japan's intention. They are purchasing warships and aeroplanes, which 1 am afraid will not be of any great help irt. trouble with us." When asked to define the "South Seas,'" Admiral ()-;iimi said: 'The region includes countries whose mention by name would strike terror into the hearts of some people. I here is no thought of conniving at outrage and intoleramce much longer. ' Criticism of Roosevelt Much significance is attached to the statement of Admiral Osumi, who is a former Navy .Minister and delegate to the League of Nations. Hitherto the Navy's views had not been made plain, but Admiral Osumi's statement exceeds in frankness the recent utterances of Prince Konoye, the Prime Minister, and iSJr. Matsnoka, the Foreign Minister. It coincides .with the bitter criticism in all sections of the press of President Roosevelt's policy. The Government is calling a four-day conference, beginning on January 14, with leaders of the Diet, representatives of financial interests and the press, because "it goes without saying that a fuller measure of co-operation with the Government is necessary in order to cope with the situation, so as to make, possible the hope for phenomenal development in our national destiny."

BAYONET FIGHTING MOBE GBEEK SUCCESSES PRISONERS AND MATERIAL COUNTER-ATTACK REPULSED (Received Jannary 10, 9.30 p.m.) ATHENS, Jan. 10 The Greek night communique states: MJn local operations we captured important heights at the bayonet point, taking about 200 prisoners, also much material, including 20 mortars. "The Greeks repulsed a sharp Italian counter-attack south-westward of Moscopolis." An earlier communique stated: "In .successful local operations over 300 prisoners and much material of all kinds fsl into our hands. Our aircraft, without loss, brought down three enemy aeroplanes."

CULTURAL TREATY BRITAIN AND GREECE PEACETIME CO-OPERATION (Recei-ved January JO, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 9 The Greek Prime Minister, General Metaxas, and the British Minister to Greece, Sir Chaarles Palairet, signed the first cultural treaty Britain has concluded with any country, signifying a desire to continue in peacetime the cooperation begun in war. Greece will provide every facility for the British language and way of life and thought to become familiar throughout Greece, Reciprocal facilities are being granted for students in the two countries..

AMPHIBIAN TANKS PROBLEM IN INVASION TRENDS IN NEW BUILDING (Received January 10, 6.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 9 The possibility of the Germans using amphibian tanks in invasion operations was mentioned in a talk to the press by the Commander of the newly-formed Royal Armoured Corps, Major-General G. Le Q. Mart-el. The Germans, he was quite sure, had means of landing tanks, he said, but pointed out that while it was easy to make a tank swim, it necessitated easting off a lot of armour or ammunition. Regarding the size of tanks in general, the natural trend was to go for heavier tanks with more protection. The search was for "the heaviest tank with the fastest speed." Great changes were taking place in ideas regarding the size of tanks, and the German tactics of employing masses of small ta.nk» would not necessarily win the war. The German tanks used to break through last summer were often no match for the British.

EIRE ROAD SIGN BAN DRASTIC PETROL REDUCTION (Received January 10, fl.ao p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 9 The ban on the display of road signposts will come into force in Eire on February 1.. It. takes the form of an emergency Government order which makes it an offence to display anywhere outside the urban areas a sign which furnishes an indication of the name, situation, direction or distance to any place. The order also prohibits the display within urban areas of signs indicating the direction or distance to any place. The petrol ration in Eire will be reduced from to-morrow to a quarter of the normal allowance, says a cable message. The price has been fixed at 2s "id a gallon in the Dublin zone, and 2s 3d elsewhere. i