PACIFIC CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 8

PACIFIC CRISIS

UNITED STATES' STAND NOTE TO JAPANESE ■ SPECULATION ON TERMS ■'BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE" By Telegraph— Association —Copyright (Eecd. 11.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. '27 When the talks were resumed in Washington las't. night the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, handed a Note to the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, and the special Japanese envoy, Mr. Kurusu. The State Department spokesman said the document' was based on the principles previously enunciated by the Administration. Neither Mr. Hull nor the Japanese representatives had any statement to make after the-.meeting, which lasted 75 minutes, but all three were smiling tvhen they left the conference room. Mr. Roosevelt also had a conference yesterday with the Chinese Ambassador, the president of the Bank of China, and the supervisor of leaselend aid to China. "Blunt Statement" According to one source, well{nfom»ed circles in Washington believe that the United States has presented Japan with a blunt statement of policy, which will in effect end all conciliation. The terms, it is believed, include a request for Japan to withdraw from China and to refuse support for the Nanking-, puppet regime. The United Press correspondent in Washington says authoritative circles state that the United States favours s- three months' breathing space in American-Japanese relations to allow of further time to discuss mutual problems. "Such a temporary agreement would provide for limited relaxation of the economic blockade against Japan, provided Japan were willing to pledge herself to make no further aggressive moves, either southward or against Russia, Japan would also be required to rearrange her troop dispositions, so that she could not threaten the Burma Road, for the duration of the agreement'. . 'deception Uncertain" The Japanese envoys last week asked for a fuller restoration of trading facilities, and offered fewer guarantees than the United States now asks, continues this The proposed temporary agreement is understood to include provision for carrying on discussions aimed at a more permanent adjustment. ' 1 The Associated Press correspondent describes the document handed to Mr. Kurusu as a "blueprint for peace in the based on the doctrine ot non-aggression' which Mr. Hull has preached for Years." He says its reception is regarded as uncertain._ It is understood, says tins correspondent-, that the United States offered Japan a formula based on Mr. Hull's 1937 declaration of principles:— ! (1) The maintenance of peace. (i> from the use of force fj-nd intereference in the affairs of other | nations. (3). The adjustment of international problems by peaceful negotiation and agreement. Attitude of Ohina Discussing rumours which claim that the document leads to high hopes ot a settlement, and, on the other hand, that Chinese opposition to the proposed agreement threatens to wreck tne negotiations! a high diplomatic_ informant told the Australian Associated Press that Mr. Hull presented the Japanese with a statement of basic policy in the Pacific, rather than with a series of specific proposals. The informant added that it was still too early to say whether the talks would succeed or fail, and all estimates concerning them must be regarded merely as guesses. , - The Washington correspondent ot the New York Times says the document marks the completion of the first phase ' of the negotiations and leaves everything depending on the Japanese attitude. China's view differs from that or the other A.B.C.D. Powers in so far as slie does not want concessions made tO The P Herald Tribune's correspondent savs Mr. Hull's document is a surprise arid has aroiised the impression that Mr. Hull is attempting to carry out his original intention to < seek a complete, general settlement m the Pacific.

SCOPE OF CONDITIONS LONG-TERM AGREEMENT BELIEVED UNACCEPTABLE WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 Earlier reports in Washington stated that all hope of a long-term peace agreement between the United States and Japan has been abandoned, it is believed that Japan will not,, or cannot, accept the conditions for such an agreement —virtual withdrawal f ro ™ the Asian mainland, abandonment or the Axis Pact and a complete return to the wars of peace. _ < The present instability of Japanese domestic conditions is believed to be guch that any Japanese Government s acceptance of such conditions would lead to an internal revolution. The New York Herald-Tnbune s correspondent says that Mr. Cordell Hull continued bis efforts to win the approval of the A.B.C.D. nations for a limited -agreement. Differences of opinion among the A.B.C.D. envoys regarding the proposed terms constituted an obstacle to the difficult negotiations. China, in particular, opposed a limited accord which, it was feared, would impair her position. At one stage, when it was apparent that a general Pacific settlement was impossible, the Japanese threatened to return home-, and to save a rupture. Mr. Hull turned to the idea of a limited settlement. "We are strong for peace," Admiral Nomura told reporters as he arrived at the State Department accompanied by Kurusu. to continue the conversations with Mr. Cordell Hull, Mr. Kurusu denied that he had received special instructions from Tokio. He declined to comment on the report that lie was preparing to return, and reminded questioners of the three monkeys which see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. SLIGHT HOPE SEEN OPINION IN THAILAND (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 26 The Shanghai correspondent of the New York Herald-Tribune says the Thai radio stated that it appeared inevitable that Thailand would be involved in the war, although there was a slight hope of peace. The radio added that Thailand would defend itseif. It would welcome help from nations if attacked. The Thai vernacular press publishes similar statements.

MARINES LEAVE SHANGHAI „ (Reed. 12.20 Lnl SHANGHAI/27 The liner President Madison has sailed from Shanghai with 350 United States marines on board. It is learned that the Navy is speeding up the deJ>arture of the remaining marines. The ast units will sail to-morrow instead of next Sunday.