PACIFIC MOVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24449, 7 November 1940, Page 10

PACIFIC MOVES

■ LONDON WATCHFUL LITTLE CHANGE EVIDENT ? GERMANS IN JAPAN LONDON, Nov. 1. The British Government is not permitting the latest developments in the Balkans to blind it to the position in the Far Ehst, which remains substantially unchanged, ac- . cording to diplomatic circles in London, although it is thought that Italy’s attack on Greece is likely to increase the tension in the Pacific, rather than diminish it. This view is supported by. the Shanghai correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, who says there has been no turn for the better in the Par East since ..Japan made her big plunge into the Axis camp.;. If anything, he says, the situation is becoming more precarious, and the outlook more ominous. . “Although startled by the unexpectedly militant reaction in the United States to the pact with the Axis,” says the correspondent, ‘‘ the Japanese Army shows no inclination to deviate or retreat from the headlong course it has charted.” Close Collaboration ’ Evidence is accumulating to suggest that, since the tripartite pact was signed, collaboration ;<• between the German and Japanese Governments has daily become more intimate. German advisers and technical experts are already reported to be numerous in Tokio. where more are expected. It is also stated that the Germans are lending the Japanese every assistance to reach some kind of rapprochement with Russia, and it is accepted that renewed Japanese attempts to make peace with China, which so far are proving a complete failure, are clear manifestations of the policy which the Germans have strongly 'advocated. '-'-VT' (£• The Burma Road It is generally believed that the rival, claims of the Japanese and Chinese Governments regarding the Burma road tend to keep the actual position more or less dark, since, while Japan repeately affirms that her bombers have smashed suspension bridges and thus cut the road for at least six months, China asserts that the bridges are still there, and that, even if they are later damaged, she has already organised alternative ferry transport that will enable the flow of war material to continue. Chinese circles in London note that Japan continues to proffer bouquets and billets doux to M. Stalin, but they maintain that, whatever offers, Tokio may. make to Moscow, the policy of Russia will remain favourable to China, and that Russia Ut inevitably regard Japanese in Eastern Asia as an ..Unmitigated,evil. . 'I- r ’ r „ dVi;--'- .; .a;.;'-. .■■■-.- ■