PRESSURE ON THAILAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 7

PRESSURE ON THAILAND

DEMOCRACIES' DEMANDS ASSURANCE OF NEUTRALITY NEW YORK, Oct. 7. The increasing belief that United States and British diplomacy is driving a wedge between Japan and Thailand is reflected in the Japanese press, says the Tokio correspondent of the Associated Press. In a despatch from Bangkok he says the Singapore conference formulated the following demands: First, Thailand must give a specific assurance of neutrality; secondly Britain must be given priority over, vital raw materials; thirdly, the pro-Axis tendencies of Thailand are to be eradicated. The Kokumin described the conferences at Singapore and Hongkong as a threat to the establishment of the coprosperity sphere. It warned Japan not to remain indifferent. The Asahi, quoting its Manila correspondent, said the discussions concerned joint aerial action and the strengthening of the anti-Japan encircling front. PACIFIC PROBLEMS CONFERENCE AT MANILA MANILA, Oct. 7. Defence problems covering the whole of the Pacific area .were discussed at a week-end conference between British and American service chiefs. Particular attention was paid to united defence and strategy regarding Hongkong, Malaya, Bornea. Burma, and Netherlands East Indies, Australia, and New Zealand. The problem of getting British and American supplies to China over the Burma road was also fully discussed. The chief participants in the talks were Air Marshal Sir Robert BrookePopham, General Macarthur, and General Magruder.