THE CHANGING EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24336, 28 June 1940, Page 7

THE CHANGING EAST

JAPAN’S AIMS AND HOPES “AN OPPORTUNIST GAME” PRESSURE ON POWERS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 26. (Received June 27, at 10 p.m.) The Shanghai correspondent of the New York Times says the Yonai Cabinet’s early fall is expected, after which extremists • are likely to succeed. Signs of the trend in policy are seen in Mr Hata’s statement that any third Power “failing to understand Japan’s contentions and who instead thwarts the execution of Japan’s national policies must be treated drastically.” Japan is playing an opportunist game and placing pressure on Britain and France. The pressure against Britain is expected to increase if the “blitzkrieg” promises success. The question which at the moment is disquieting Far Eastern Americans is whether Japan will keep her hands off Australia and New Zealand if Britain is defeated and whether the United States would permit Japanese intrusion in those lands. The thinly disguised Japanese intention of eventually occupying Indo-China is greatly increasing the apprehensions. A westward movement of the United States Fleet is seen as the only possible deterrent. The Japanese pressure to cut off war supplies proceeding toward Chungking puts a,new face on the desperation of Marshal Chiang-kai Shek’s cause, resulting in increased desertions from Chungking. Several generals from the Hupeh fronts arrived at Nanking and are bargaining with Mr Wang Ching-wei. Six Chinese pilots landed at Ichang, inside the Japanese lines, seeking to join the Nanking Administration. According to a message from Shanghai the Domei Agency s Nanning correspondent says the Japanese forces approaching the Indo-China border continued their advance toward Ningming, 20 miles south-east of Lungchow, which other Japanese units are approaching, despite stiff Chinese resistance. The Japanese are also progressing toward Mingking. Military circles expected occupation of Ningming and Mingking to-day, resulting in the Japanese controlling key points on the Nanning to Pingsiang highway.