THE BURMA ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 7

THE BURMA ROAD

REOPENING TO-DAY JAPAN’S COUNTER MOVE AIR BOMBING PLANNED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HANOI. Oct. 16. Major-general Raishiro Sumita, the Japanese military commander in Indo-China, declared that Japan was resolutely determined ic prevent war materials from the United States and other countries reaching the Chinese.

Major-general Sumita indicated that Japan's tactics would take the form of air bombing. War planes would do their utmost to strike a fatal blow at the Burma road but the attacks codld be expected only after the supplies had entered Chinese territory A message from Lashio (Burma), states that Chinese technicians are preparing approximately 2000 American lorries for the reopening of the Burma road on Friday. There will be a simple ceremony, in which the Chinese and British will participate.

NOT BLUFFING AMERICAN ATTITUDE PRESIDENT’S INTENTIONS SPECULATION IN WASHINGTON WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, .The United States has moved past the bluffing stage with Japan. President Roosevelt cannot back down if Japan commits any overt act against American interests. Obviously, Japan, staggered by the first show of American force since the Great War, is trying to avoid a crisis—witness the Government’s statement that its agreement with the Axis is a “ peace pact.” Presidential Election But how long. Washington wonders. will Japan talk peacefully after the Buraia road is opened on October 17. President Roosevelt’s ultimate intentions toward Japan are locked up behind his bright pre-election smile. . Unless Japan breaks the peace they will remain locked there until after election day. That is the reason for confusion in Washington. The President, whatever his final plans wants to do nothing which would divert the election tide, now apparently carrying him to victory. But, once he is safely elected, his friends expect to see American foreign policy harden.

Attitude of Country

At what point will the United States actually oppose Japan? Nobody knows the answer except the President. He has. however, appalled many of his advisers who consider that war with Japan would play straight into Hitler’s hands They believe Germany is encouraging a break between the United States and Japan to divert American energies from Europe. Broadlv sneaking, the army may be said to oppose war with Japan now. while the navv is anxious to take a strong stand. Civilian experts are divided.

Everybody knows that, whatever the Constitution may say, however Congress may reserve the final right to declare war and make peace, the President, once re-elected, can virtually dictate the nation’s foreign policy, and can fight Japan if he wants to. Military Preparations Most significant straw in the wind to-day was the statement of an unnamed member of the Cabinet to the Washington Times-Herald that: “ The Roosevelt Administration is proceeding on the assumption that war with Japan in the very near future is a strong probability. “ The army and navy,” he added, “are making preparations for war with the utmost speed, and the Government is rushing orders for rubber and tin in British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. War can only be averted if Japan abandons her Greater Asia policy.” And war with Japan would certainly mean war with the Axis.