THE FAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 7

THE FAR EAST

MOVES BY JAPAN PROBABLE NAVAL BASE HARBOUR IN ANNAM MENACE TO SINGAPORE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' LONDON. Feb. 4. (Received Feb. 5, at 11.30 p,m,) : ' The likelihood of Japan gaining a naval base at Camranh. Bay, Annam. as a reward lor mediation in the Thailand-bido-Chitia dispute, is causing concent in British, American and Chinese circles. The Chinese insist that Japan's moves presage an attack oh Singapore, while British and American diplomats admit that the moves mean that Japan has obtained an Important Jumping-off place; for her South Pacific expansion plans, of which the Dutch East Indies are the present goal. Well-informed circles believe that the Dutch East Indies would be aisle to resist a Japanese attack for only two months. Japanese militarists are convinced that the proper time to launch an offensive against the Indies would be at the time of Germany’s expected “ all-out ” attack on Britain.. There is no belief that Japan can be made to surrender her East Asia policy either by threats or by mildly punitive actions like embargoes. Since the embargo and threat tactics were evolved there has been a great intensification of the “ totalitarianisation ” of Japan and the militarists are in complete control. : 7 . The Tokio newspaper Kokumin Shimbun says: “It is self-evident that Japan will go forward with her fixed policy. It won’t matter what attitude the Dutch East , Indies takes, towards Japan’s request- for co-operation; ' 1 r . Vi* • ; v ■’ - • Statement by M. Molotov A fresh development tiTthe Far Eastern situation waa a statement to-day by M. Molotov, that , hie was willing to appoint representatives to discuss a trade treaty with Japan. It is believed that'Japan is making an effort to clihch German assurances with regard to Soviet neutrality by ihe formulation of . a Bussian-Japanese nbnaggression pact Russia has become ah extremely important factor* but the paramount factor is Germany’s mooted : “ all-out ” attack on Britain. Successful repulsion of this attack will be the strongest deterrent to Japan, ■ , FIGHTING IN CHINA JAPANESE ENTER KEY POINT TOKIO* Feb. 5. (Received Feb. 0, at 1.30, p m.) Mr Matsuoka, replying to a question raised by the Hqusfe Budget Committee whether asettlement of hostilities would be expedited if ships carrying Supplies to Ghungking were slink; said: “ The Government is actually invoking belligerent rights within the score of necessity; but complete invocation is at present under consideration.” : u• c, ,v The Canton representative ‘of the Domei Agency. says Japanese troops which landed south-east of ’Waichow this morning entered Tamsui, a key point to the Mirs Bay route,; v Japanese Units stationed along the Sino-British, frontier, bordering the Kowloon leased territory, began moving to cut off the Chinese retreat.