FORFEIT BY TOKIO

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19684, 16 July 1938, Page 7

FORFEIT BY TOKIO

GAMES OF 1940 YEAR APPROVAL BY CABINET COMMENT IN EUROPE POSSIBLE ITALIAN BID (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Asan.t (Rood. July 16, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. A message from Tokio states that the Japanese Cabinet has approved of the decision of the Ministry of PublicWelfare announced yesterday not to hold the 1940 Olympic Games in Tokio. The Cabinet also approved of the decision of the Ministry of Commerce to postpone the international exhibition planned simultaneously with the Games, “pending the termination of the war with China.” The Japanese Cabinet spokesman said the decision was a demonstration of the national determination to pursue the aims in China. ‘‘The hostilities might continue for two years, ’ he added. “Consequently . \ve are preparing for any emergency.” Restriction of'Athletes It is hinted in Tokio that the Japanese will not be permitted to compete in the Games of 1940 if they are arranged elsewhere. A purely national Japanese meeting at Tokio will be substituted for the Olympiad.

The Manchester Guardian says that if Japan’s decision to abandon the Games had been made last year Britain would probably have applied to hold them, but it is now felt the time is too short to enable proper organisation. For this reason Finland would have British support if it proceeded with its application.

“The Olympic Committee, however, does not meet until June and it is not clear whether the executive is empowered to decide without a full meeting" continues the Guardian. Moieover, Italy may advance a claim, presumably with German support. “There is a growing feeling in Britain, America and .Scandinavia that the Games have lost their original character and should be abandoned. Humiliation Escaped The Guardian points out that whether Japan’s excuses are genuine or not, they have saved her from humiliation. It appeared almost certain that there would be British, American, French and Scandinavian refusals of the invitation to participate and this might have killed the whole Olympic system. "The crisis in Japan has saved both the Olympiad and her own dignity," says the Guardian. "It is felt that British and Finnish representation at the Olympiad is such as to restore the original sporting character which was lost at Berlin.” A message from New York states that Mr. Grover A. Whalen, head of the New York World’s Fair of 1939. made an unofficial bid for the holding of the Olympic Games by issuing a statement in which he said he would be glad to conduct the Games in conjunction with the fair, but generally, he conceded that it would not be successful.