AIMS OF JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24202, 18 February 1942, Page 7

AIMS OF JAPAN

BURMA AND INDIA "CRUSH DUTCH FORCES" r - • POLICY TOWARD AUSTRALIA (Reed. 0.60 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 16 Japan's war aims were outlined by the Prime Minister, Tojo, to Parliament, according to the Tokio official radio. The aims are set out as follows : Firstly, Japan is carrying out operations in Burma in order to suppress Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's regime at Chungking, but Japan does not regard the Burmese ae enemies and will gladly extend to them her positive co-opera-tion in the establishment of Burma for the Burmese. Secondly, Japan firmly intends to strike a finishing blow at the Chungking regime, but regards the Chinese people as brothers. Thirdly, India now has a golden opportunity to throw off British and American domination. Japan will not stint herself in extending assistance to the Indians' patriotic efforts. Fourthly, Japan will crush the Dutch forces, but if the people of the Indies co-operate the Japanese will emancipate them from the despotic rule of the Dutch Government. Tokio radio quoted the newspaper Nichi Nichi as saying that one of the aims of Japan's policy toward Australia .will be the abolition of Australian laws which have hitherto practically prohibited Japanese immigration. Tojo, in a speech in the Diet, said Australia and New Zealand should avoid a useless war by relying on Britain and America, on whom no reliance could be placed. Whether the peoples of Australia and New Zealand enjoy happiness depends on whether their Governments understand Japan's real intentions—a just attitude to them. THREAT TO SUPPLIES INDIAN OCEAN MENACE SOMBRE AMERICAN VIEW (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 According to the Tokio official radio, the Japanese Minister of the Navy, Admiral Shimada, said in the Diet that Japanese submarines were already operating in the Indian Ocean. He added that operations there would, now be extended. In the considered judgment of rGsponsible officials in Washington, the fall of Singapore marks the darkest moment of the war for the United Nations. It is generally conceded that Sumatra must fall, thus cutting off the United Nations from the main supply of petroleum in the south-west Pacific, and also allowing the Japanese free passage into the Indian Ocean, from which they can raid the Allied supply lines to China, the Suez, and the Persian • Gulf Jf Java falls, it is conceded that the Allies will not only have difficulty in regaining a foothold in Malaya, but may not be able to supply or build up the force they have started in Australia. There is no tendency to condemn Mr. Churchill, although it is realised that his predictions of the fate of Singapore were far more optimistic than the facts justified. It is generally felt to be useless to cast stones at Mr. Churchill unless there is someone to take his place. Thus all should concentrate on United States shortcomings, which are admitted to be considerable. SPORADIC FIGHTING QUIET IN THE PHILIPPINES (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17 The Japanese have apparently not yet renewed their expected heavy offensive in the Philippines, where General Mac Arthur's gallant forces have been holding out, both at Corregidor Island and Batan. The United States War Department communique says there has been heavy enemy artillery fire at Batan in the past 24 hours. Intermittent infantry fighting is in progress in several sectors of the front. Enemy aviators have been active throughout yesterday. Artillery action and sporadic fighting on the Batan Peninsula, in the Philippines, was reported in a Washington communique last night. U-BOAT'S JOURNEY AT NEW YORK'S ENTRANCE (Reed. 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17 A Berlin news a'gency has released the story of the cruise of a U-boat commander, Lieutenant-Kapitan Hardegan, who claimed to have reached the "entrance" to New York. He said: "We were amazed as we looked on the city and saw Long Island's piers, with the ceaseless coming and going of harbour craft. We sank. 10 ships totalling 66,000 tons off the American coast, including the tanker Nordess" (the United States Navy Department admitted the loss of the Nordess on January 15). JAPANESE SPIES ARMY AND NAVY UNIFORMS (Reed. 11.5 p.m.) SACRAMENTO, Feb 17 Federal Bureau of Investigation agents carried out sweeping raids on Japanese establishments and seized truckloads of contraband, including Japanese army and navy uniforms, important secret documents,. and empty aerial bomb casings. Thirteen Japanese nationals were arrested. REGENT RESIGNS (Rerd. 5.5 p.m.) BUDAPEST, Feb. 10 Admiral Horthy, Regent of Hungary, is retiring. Parliament is meeting on February 19 to elect his successor.