WAR SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24698, 29 August 1941, Page 5

WAR SUPPLIES

SHIPMENTS TO RUSSIA I AMERICA’S PRINCIPLE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS WASHINGTON. (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) Aug. 27. ■ The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, told a press conference that the United States stood on the principle of the freedom of the seas in connection with shipments of war supplies to Russia, via the Pacific. Asked whether Japan had made formal representations to the United States concerning shipments, he replied that he would leave any statement on the subject to the Tokio Foreign Office, but he said the Japanese Ambassador, Admira‘l Nomura, nad requested an interview. Admiral Nomura, who conferred with Mr Hull, told the press that shipments' to Vladivostok constituted one of the problems of which it was still hoped there would be an amicable settlement. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE I (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 27. The Tokio correspondent of the Herald-Tribune says Japan’s representations against shipments of petroleum via Vladivostok mark the opening of a diplomatic offensive to prevent Russia joining the alleged Anglo-American encirclement. Japan is also seeking assurances that the Anglo - American - Russian alliance against Hitler will not be extended to the Far East. It is understood that Tokio does not intend to force a showdown over Vladivostok, but hopes to obtain concessions as the price of noninterference with shipments. The Washington correspondent of the Herald-Tribune says the United States will reject any formal Japanese protest on shipments. “ DIPLOMATIC BLACKMAIL” RUGBY, Aug. 27. ■ Commenting bn the informal talks at Washington between the Japanese Ambassador and the State Department. world-wide interest in which has been stimulated by Mr Churchill’s broadcast, The Times recalls Mr Cordell Hull’s statement on Monday that the American' position is’ still firmly based, on the declaration of 1937. This declaration. The Times points out, insisted on respect for treaties and existing rights and interests in the Far East—“ a statement which should reassure anyone in: China or elsewhere who might have been apprehensive lest a temporary respite should be purchased by some sacrifice of principle." The Times suggests that moderate Japanese statesmen might have been somewhat startled by the obvious disregard for Japan shown by Ger+ many’s action regarding Russia over the past two years, which might well have caused them to release Japan, and have raised doubts in Japanese minds concerning the treatment they might expect to receive should Germany be victorious. “ There is little evidence, however, of a change of Japanese policy,’! The Times states, and cites recent Japanese reports as being designed to foster the view that she is suffering no penalty for /aggression in Indo-China, and need not be afraid of the consequences of a further move into Thailand. The Times concluded: “What Japan is seeking, and what she is offering in' the Washington talks is the subject of much interesting speculation. It seems to be generally agreed that she is endeavouring to utilise the intention of America to send supplies to Russia by way of Vladivostock as an opportunity for diplomatic blackmaiL The use of this perfectly normal and natural route between the two countries constitutes no conceivable menace to Japanese interests, and the official Japanese spokesman has admitted that it is open to no objection based on international law. It would certainly be an achievement for Japanese diplomacy to exact a price—for example, mitigation of the freezing: orders —for permitting America to use a route which she has every right to .use already. It is not, however, a like’ • achievement, and probably the real object of the talks, apart from gaining time, is to find out by careful sounding what degree of determination lies behind American policy in the Far East.