JAPAN'S POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 11

JAPAN'S POLICY

CONCERN AROUSED / SHIPS ORDERED HOME REQUISITION REPORTED WASHINGTON, July 3 Answering a question at the press conference as to whether the United States had official information concerning the war .policy adopted by Japan, the American Under-Secre-tary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, said that the Government naturally hoped that the Japanese attitude would make for maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Asked about reports received by the State Department that several Japanese vessels en route from Manila to San Francisco had been requisitioned by the Japanese Government, and that chrome cargoes had been landed in Japanese ports', Mr. "Welles replied that the Japanese were perfectly within their rights in such action. Closely Guarded Secret The Journal of Commerce, reports that all Japanese shipping has been ordered by the Japanese Government to return home. Offices of Japanese lines would not confirm the apparent requisition. An indication that the report is founded on fact was seen iu the confirmation that two Japanese ships, laden with chrome ore from the Philippines, had been requisitioned by the Government. The Journal of Commerce says the move was closely

guarded. Tlie Manila correspondent of the American Associated Press says it is reliably reported that the Japanese Government has ordered all ships in Philippine waters to return home immediately. Another Manila message says the Tabacalera Company received notification from Kobe to-day that the Kyusa. Mani, carrying a cargo from the Philippines to the United States had been requisitioned by the Japanese Government and ordered not to proceed to its destination. Co-operation With Germany A closer examination of the statement by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, that Japan will continue to watch international developments, is causing some commentators to express the opinion that the danger of active co-operation between Germany and Japan has not passed. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press says that in 6pite of rigid censorship indications have come from Tokio that" Japan has chosen to i side with Germany against Russia, and will continue the policy of southward expansion, thus aiding Germany by keeping the United States Navy in the Pacific. Chance lor Southward Drive The London Daily Mail's diplomatic correspondent says Hitler is applying pressure on Japan to provide a diversion, and adds: "It is possible that the Japanese will see. an opportunity to launch a southern drive, although an attack on the East Indies would be risky because it would bring a quick reaction from the United States. It seems that influences working in Tokio to produce a policy of neutrality . have failed, and the situation is viewed with some concern." All Tokio newspapers applaud the •Government's decision toward the Russo-German war. The Miyako Shimbun, charging Britain and America with meddling and delaying the solution of the China affair, 'says: "Tho time will sooner or later when we will ask these meddlers to reconsider their policy or halt them by force." The Yomiuri Shimbun stated that 1500 Russians were going home because of the intense war-situation, but Russian officials denied that there would be any wholesale evacuation. They addedi that* some women and children were going to Russia "because we think at these times they should be at home." JAPAN'S NEXT MOVE CONSIDERING SAFETY ZONE POSSIBLE U-BOAT ACTIVITY (Reed. 12.15 a.m.) TOKIO, July 4 The spokesman of the Cabinet In. formation Bureau, Viscount Ishii, said Japan was considering the declaration of a safety zone in territorial waters, presumably similar to the zone established by the North and South Ameri. can States to keep belligerent warshipi from their territorial waters. Viscount Ishii said he had no information 011 reports that Japanese shipi had been recalled to Japan. In connection with the safety zone the newspaper Hochi urged the Govern' ment to take precautionary measure! to preclude an "embarrassing development to Japan" in the event that tin United States attempted to transport arms to Vladivostok, since the onlj available route was through the Tsugaru or Soya Straits, in Japanese territorial waters, and the Germans miglil resort to submarine operations there, The Hochi contended that Japan could not be indifferent in the event oi British and American assistance t< Russia, which threatened Japan. THE WAR IN CHINA HEAVY CASUALTIES CLAIMED SHANGHAI, July 3 According to the Japanese Domei agency 42,418 Chinese were killed and 29.246 taken prisoner, and vast quantities of arms and ammunition captured during mopping-up in the Shans: and north-westenr Honan Provinces in May and June. It said that the campaign dealt the "death blow" tc Chungking aspirations in North China GIFT FOR MALTA (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 3 A British official wireless message says that Sir George Wilkinson, Lord Mayor of London, in sending his personal cheque for £2OO to the Malta Relief Fund, wrote: "I would be glad if you would convey to all those who have suffered my heartfelt sympathy."