EFFECT ON JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23928, 31 March 1941, Page 7

EFFECT ON JAPAN

AMERICAN FORECAST RELUCTANT TO MOVE INTEREST JN SINGAPORE (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 20 The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Walter F. George, forecast that Yugoslavia's rebuff to Germany would make Japan more than reluctant to attack Singapore. "In view of the events of the last 30 days, Japan will not make Italy's mistake of assuming an early termination of the war favourable to Germany," said Mr. George. "If Japan intended to attack Singapore she- would have done so before the British garrison was strengthened." Mr. George declined to comment as to how the United States would react to a Japanese assault upon Singapore, but another high official said be believed she might send aid "in volume not before now contemplated." Referring to Berlin's untimely taunt at the Vienna ceremony on Tuesday that it was "a British diplomatic Dunkirk," the London Times remarks: This provokes the retort that Yugoslavia has shown the same magnificent capacity as did Britain for rallying, strengthened and undaunted, from an apparently overwhelming disaster. The truth is that Ribbentrop on this occasion badly over-played his hand. His attempt to bait the trap for Mr. Matsuoka, the Japanese Foreign Minister, with a fresh accession to the Axis has ended in an ignominious fiasco." MR, MATSUOKA'S VISIT DEPARTURE /OR ROME (Reed. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 29 Mr. Matsuoka left Berlin to-day for Rome. The Pope will give audiences to : Mr. Matsuoka on Wednesday, says a message from Berlin. According to Berlin reports of Mr. Matsuoka's reception, Ribbentrop said his pleasure in welcoming Mr, Matsuoka was all the deeper because "he speaks a language we understand." This excited amused comment in London, as the conversations between Ribbentrop and Mr. Matsuoka were in English, neither speaking the other's language. Ribbentrop did not mention Yugoslavia at Thursday night's reception to Mr. Matsuoka. Ribbentrop claimed that Britain's alleged Allies consist of representatives from European Governments without their peoples. The Axis was united in the common destiny of life and death. 1 Air. Matsuoka replied, associating himself with Ribbentrop's declarations. He described the Axis Pact as a peace pact, aimed at preventing an expansion of the war. Mr. Matsuoka concluded by toasting Hitler "in full confidence of a certain Italo-German victory." BERLIN WATCHING ANTI-AXIS OUTBURSTS GERMANY LODGING PROTEST (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 29 A Berlin radio commentator said informed circles in Belgrade did not.. expect a declaration from the new Yugoslav Government for a few days. The speaker added that Berlin was watching developments very closely. A Berlin news agency message says there were anti-German demonstrations in numerous districts in Yugoslavia last night. Cinemas showing German films had their furniture wrecked. Three thousand German economic experts, journalists and trade representatives u ere returning home. A German Foreign Office spokesman said that Germany was protesting to Yugoslavia against the anti-German excesses. Germany had not madetfopresentations to Yugoslavia about her policy because it was not customary for a Government to throw overboard treaties made by its predecessors. The pact with the Axis did not require ratification because it contained a clause declaring it to be operative from the day it was signed. According to a Hungarian news agency, Yugoslavia has stopped the navigation of German barges and shipping on the Yugoslav section of the Danube. It is learned from Sofia that train and telephone communications between Bulgaria and Yugoslavia are at present broken off. AMERICAN SUPPORT PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 29 President Roosevelt telegraphed the following message to King Peter of Yugoslavia from the yacht Potomac: "At this moment, when Your Majesty has assumed the full exercise of Royal rights and powers and the leadership of a brave and independent people, I wish to share with the people of the United States in the expression of our sincere and genuine wishes for the health and • wellbeing of Your Majesty and for the freedom and independence of Yugoslavia. "Furthermore, I extend the hope that the relations between your Government and the Government of the United States may be mutually beneficial in support of those principles of liberty and tolerance so cherished by the Yugoslav peoples." The United States Minister in Belgrade, Mr. A. B. Lane, delivered a Note confirming the United States' promise to give full aid to the new Government. King George VI. of Britain has telegraphed congratulations and good wishes to King Peter. BOMB IN AMERICAN MAIL (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 2f> The fragments of a small U-shaped bomb made from a piece of twisted lead pipe planted in a bag of American mail exploded in the Mount Pleasant Post Office. Little damage was done to mails. The police on both sides of the Atlantic are inquiring into the outrage. • •