CRITICAL PHASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24773, 25 November 1941, Page 7

CRITICAL PHASE

WASHINGTON TALKS AMERICA AND JAPAN LIMITED AGREEMENT LIKELY (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 23. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that the Japanese-American conversations have reached a critical phase. Both sides have indicated their willingness to reach a truce in the long-range economic strategic war, and both sides have made suggestions about the terms on which they are prepared to reach a limited agreement. Because of the delicacy of the situation it is impossible to discuss the terms, but it can be said that both sides are confident that so long as the balance of power remains about the same as it is in Europe there will be no spread of the war to the* Pacific. The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press says that, following Saturday night's meeting with Mr Cordell Hull. Mr Kurusu and Admiral Nomura held a long conference in the early hours with their aides at the Japanese Embassy, and later despatched a lengthy coded cablegram to Tokio. The correspondent states that Mr Hull will meet Admiral Nomura and Mr Kurusu again early in the week. Japan's Naval Strength The immediate despatch of the United States Pacific fleet from Hawaii to Singapore was urged by Rearadmiral Stirling, the United Press naval commentator. " This is one chance of stopping Japan." says Rearadmiral Stirling. " Guarded by this fleet and augmented by the British naval forces, Singapore should be safe.

Japan, however, probably would never allow such a move to go unchallenged. She has a fleet of at least 12 battleships, 9 aircraft carriers, 40 cruisers, 150 destroyers, and 60 submarines, and she also has an air force of 2000 naval planes and 3000 army planes. If the United States fleet moved to Singapore, the Japanese would probably be mobilised at Camranh Bay, from which base they would take the offensive. The ships of the Japanese Navy are equal to any in the world and a war between Japan and the United States would be long and arduous. For America to win would require an all-out effort far exceeding anything most of our people realise. The war would be a naval war, and would have to be fought in the waters of Japan's choosing—waters in which Japan has literally hundreds of bases."

JAPAN'S DETERMINATION BREASTING ALL DIFFICULTIES (Rec. 11 p.m.) TOKIO. Nov. 23. Mr Kiwao Okumura. vice-president of the Information Board, in" a national broadcast, said: "The Japanese people have no other choice but to charge, forward on their way, and if we knock our heads against a stone wall we must, break through it. History is now sounding a warning note that a serious situation is about to befall us." Repeating the statement by the Premier, General Tojo, that Japan was now at the crossroads and must rise or fall, he continued: "The Government has made a grim determination to breast all difficulties in this It is abandoning secrecy and taking the people into its confidence to win their whole-hearted support. It is the duty of the Information Board to let you know what powerful stride." General Tojo and the Cabinet are making and to inflame the hearts of the people, which are now reaching ignition point, so that their patriotism will burst into furious flame, and the sacred, everlasting fire which has been burning for the past 2600 years will be kept burning in all its glory."