REASON ASKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24139, 4 December 1941, Page 10

REASON ASKED

INDO-CHINA MOVES AMERICA'S REQUEST PRESIDENT EXPLAINS VERY- LARGE FOECES (Eecd. 11.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Dec. 3 The State Department announced that President Roosevelt had directed Mr. Sumner Welles, UnderSecretary of State, to ask the Japanese Government for an explanation of the moves into Indo-China and toward Thailand.

At a press conference Mr. Roosevelt indicated clearly that a satisfactory answer to America's inquiry as to what was Japan's purpose in increasing her armed forces in IndoChina was essential to the successful conclusion of the negotiations between the two Governments, looking toward peace in the whole Pacific area.

Mr. Welles had submitted the main question to the Japanese delegates, Mr. Kurusu and Admiral Nomura.

Hope For Early Answer

The President indicated that some progress had been made in the discussions Avith tho Japanese envoys up to the point when it was learned that Japan was augmenting her land, air and naval forces in Indo-China. He hoped an answer to America's inquiry would be received soon, but no time limit had been set. Mr. Roosevelt recalled that the conversations between the United States and Japan began last April, with the United States aiming at permanent peace in the Pacific. At times it seemed as if progress was being made, and it was assumed that no act would be committed contrary to tho desired peace.

Therefore the United States was surprised when Japanese troops moved into Indo-China last June. Vichy let it be understood that it had agreed to this move because it was powerless to do anything else. Still More Troops

The conversations were resumed and the United States again made it clear that peace depended on an end being made of conquest in additional territory in the Pacific area.

Then, the other day, the Government heard that very large additional forces were moving into Indo-Cliina. In the meantime it had learned that still more Japanese forces were en route to Indo-China.

Both new bodies were a great many more than the original number of troops agreed to by Vichy, Mr. Roosevelt added, therefore he had sent a polite request to the Japanese Government asking its reasons for increasing the forces in Indo-China.

Mr. Roosevelt's inquiry of Japan followed a meeting between the President and his defence chiefs. It was the fourth meeting Mr. Roosevelt has had in the past eight days. The view in Washington is that Japan must make an early statement about her attitude.

CONTINUE TALKS

JAPANESE ANXIOUS ; STATEMENTS DY ENVOYS iliocd. 12.5 a,m.) WASHINGTON. Dec. 3 Mr. Kurusu and Admiral Nomura, the Japanese envoys to Washington, had an hour's conference with Mr. Welles. Admiral Nomura said afterwardf "We are not in a position to disclose anything. Ho talked and we listened."

Both envoys emphasised that Japan was anxious to continue the conversations and to hold the door open for a settlement. Admiral Nomura said Japan was giving weighty consideration to all aspects of the situation before replying to the United States. "Nobody wants war—war would not settle anything," said Admiral Nomura. "There is no reason why we should not settle these issues by diplomacy."

Mr. Kurusu was asked if he still thought he had a fighting chance of success. He replied: "Yes, I do not give up so easily." The envoys said the recent speech by the Prime Minister of Japan, General Tojo, had been incorrectly reported owing to a translation mistake made by a Japanese official. The essential passage should have read: "The practice of European Powers of checkmating one Oriental Power against another must be eliminated."

The New York Herald-Tribune says authoritative Japanese sources state that General Tojo did not make the speech attributed to him, declaring that Japan was determined to purge Britain and America from the Far East. It was explained that the speech was written by the reactionary East Asia League, of which General Tojo is president, but that General Tojo did not deliver it. although the text was given to the Japanese newspapers in advance and released by them automatically. It was further explained that the text had been incorrectly translated, as the Japanese version did not mention purging the United States. The Associated Press correspondent in Tokio says the Washington correspondent of the newspaper Asahi asserts that the closing of the Japanese consulates in the United States is imminent. This is the first public reference to such an action, although wellinformed foreign circles have predicted the stop.