ATTACK ON SIBERIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24370, 4 September 1942, Page 3

ATTACK ON SIBERIA

TLANS OF JAPANESE POSSIBILITY DISCUSSED (T?ecd. 6.30 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 At a meeting of the Pacific War Council to-day, attended by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Jit. Hon. P. Eraser, special attention was centred on the possibility of Japan attacking Siberia. n „ r . The Chinese Ambassador to Washington, Dr. T. V. Soong, said to journalists that it was purely a .matter of time until the Japanese hurled their armies against the Russians. The Chungking correspondent of the Associated Press states that foreign observers, who believe that the Japanese are preparing for major action against Russia, point out that five Japanese divisions were moved north in August to bolster the Kwantting army, while a large Japanese fleet is concentrated in northern waters. Leading Chinese and English newspapers, the Takung Pno and the National Herald, say that the resignations of Togo, Japanese foreign Minister, and his deputy, Barohito Nishi, portend a new and bold move by the Japanese war party. The official Tokio radio said that the Prime Minister, Tojo, stated that no alteration in foreign policy wotdd result from the change of Ministry. Wilfrid Fleisher, formerly Tokio correspondent. of the Herald-Tribune, says Togo's resignation as Foreign Minister resulted from an internal policy dispute as to whether Japan should move against Siberia or India. Togo opposed an attack on Siberia and was overruled by Tojo. The resignation of Togo was discussed at the meeting of the Pacific War Council to-day, according to a statement by the British Ambassador to Washington, Viscount Halifax. There was also some discussion on possible Japanese strategy. Lord Halifax said that President Roosevelt gave encouraging estimates of the relative air losses in the Solomons.