SECOND EDITION JAPAN AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23993, 17 June 1941, Page 8

SECOND EDITION JAPAN AND WAR

HINTS THROWN OUT LEADERS' STATEMENTS GENERAL SEES HITLER (KrccJ. 1.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Juno 10 "la a short time something great will happen"—this according to the Berlin correspondent of the Nichi Nichi Shirnbun was said in an interview by General Yainashita, head of the Japanese mission to the Axis. General Yamashita declined to indicate what he meant, but according to the Tokio correspondent of the New York Times the date of the interview, June 12, may be significant.. General Yamashita, however, revealed that Hitler told him Japan's aim should be to mobilise her full force and work harder in order to achieve a new order in the Far East. Hitler also hinted that bis will would con- | tain instructions to the German people | to bind themselves to Nippon in spirit. The Government and the Imperial High Command held an extraordinary liaison conference in Tokio at which they discussed urgent problems, the nature of which was not disclosed Admiral Nobumasa Suetsugu asserted that once the United States entered the war Japan would do likewise in j order to keep faith and honour the j tripartite pact. Admiral Suetsugu added that Japan could not remain indifferent to developments in the South Seas regions, because this area constiI tuted a life, and death problem for greater East Asia. Admiral Suetsugu, made his statement in his capacity as chairman of the "central co-cperative council" of the Government-sponsored "Imperial Rule Assistance Association. The Domei news 3 agency says the authorities concerned have asked for a correction of Admiral Suetsugu's assertion to read: | "Once the United States entered the war, Japan too must be prepared to enter the war." The Prime Minister, Prince Konove, addressing the council in his capacity as president of the association, said that because the international situation surrounding Japan was most acute and the European war was increasing in scope it was impossible to predict when the entire world might be plunged into war. It was on June 12 that, following a final agreement at a conference in Tokio of Government leaders, instructions regarding Japan's attitude toward the reply of the Netherlands East Indies to the Japanese proposals were despatched to Mr. Yoshizawa, head of the Japanese mission. BIG JAPANESE CONVOY (Heed. 2.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 16 A message from Manila says military sources understand that 21 Japanese destroyers and 27 transports have been reported off the Chekiang coast, south of Shanghai. The direction in which they were travelling has not been learned. It is estimated that they are transporting one division of'troops. AMERICAN PROTEST BOMBING OF EMBASSY (Reed 1.45 a.m.) TOKIO, June 16 Without awaiting an appointment, the American Ambassador, Mr. Joseph Gtew, sent the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, an emphatic protest about the bombing of the American Embassy at Chungking. The Note was endorsed: "Urgent—for immediate attention." Mr Grew decided personally to deliver the protest to Mr. Mntsuoka today. NEARING DAMASCUS TWO BRITISH COLUMNS (Heed. I.4ft a.m.) LONDON, .Tune lfl It is authoritatively stated that two of our Syrian columns are now approaching Damascus, which may shortly be surrounded if the advance develops according to present indications. PACIFIC LINERS AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL (Rrnl. 1.45 a.m.) SINGAPORE, June 16 The American President Lines announce that the following six liners at present in the Pacific service are being bonded over to the United States Maritime Commission after completion of their current voyages: President Taft (12.">62 tons), President Cleveland (12,568 tons), President Coolidge (21.5W6 tons), President Pierce (12,579 tons). President Jackson (14.124 tons), President Hayes (10.533 tons). It is understood the withdrawal of these ships will not interfere with rubber and tin shipments to America.