UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 7

UNITED STATES AND CANADA

JAPANESE VIEW OF AGREEMENT PACT WITH AUSTRALIA FORECAST FUTURE COLLABORATION FEARED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received August 21, 9.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 20. The Tokyo correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that the newspaper Hochi Shimbun, commenting on the Canadian-United States defence accord, asserted that it is the fore-runner of a similar pact between the United States and Australia. “It obliges Japan to be most watcliful in view of the possible effect on the Pacific region.” it says.

Other journals urged the early establishment of Japan’s new order in East Asia to offset future collaboration between the United States and the British Dominions.

Dr Minoru Maita, a widely-known lecturer and adviser, in an article in the Asahi Shimbun said that the Australian decision to accredit a Minister to Japan meant Australia’s abandonment of dependence on Britain. He said the appointment of Sir John Latham was clearly indicative of the Australian Government’s efforts to secure a rapprochement with Japan. “The decision of the United States and Canada to set up a Defence Board has the most interesting implications for Australia and New Zealand,” declared the Minister of External Affairs, Mr J. McEwen, in the House of Representatives in Canberra. He pointed out that for the first time in history a Power engaged in a major war is associated with a neutral country in this manner. The past two months, Mr McEwen added, had brought home to the people and administration of the United States that the defence of that country and the defence of the whole of the Americas could not be regarded on a basis of insularity. CANADIAN NAVAL ATTACHE The appointment of Captain Victor Brodeur, now Commodore commanding the Pacific Coast, as Canadian Naval Attache to Washington, is announced in Ottawa. Canada has never previously sent either naval or military attaches to the United States. It is also announced that the United States is sending Captain Oliver Read as the United States Naval Attache to Ottawa.

According to the Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America a naval authority stated that 50 United States destroyers could go to England within a week should Congress accede to Mr Winston Churchill’s request. More than 100 of the 123 overage destroyers have been recommissioned and need only fuel, ammunition and supplies. All are armed with fourinch guns and 21-inch torpedo tubes, similar to the British craft.

The Naval Ministry announces that it has placed orders for a fleet of motor torpedo-boats, similar to the German E-boats and capable of 50 knots, which could be used on both coasts. It is also revealed that the navy is six times greater than last year. At present it has 113 vessels, with 95 additional keels laid.

The United States Army and Navy were recently unable to place contracts for 5725 aeroplanes and also guns for 28 destroyers because manufacturers objected to the profit limitations. Several members of the Appropriations Committee expressed the opinion that the Government should conscript industry. Evidence given to the committee by Navy chiefs indicated that the manufacturers preferred to do business with the British Purchasing Commission, in which they are not bound by limitations. SOUTHWARD POLICY After Japanese Cabinet talks, Japanese Ministers indicated that the Japanese Government was near an important decision regarding its southward policy and particularly regarding the Netherlands East Indies. After the regular meeting the Foreign Minister (Mr Yosuke Matsuoka), the Minister of War (General Tojo) and Mr Yoshida discussed the problem, after which Mr Matsuoka reported to Prince Fuminaro Konoye, the Prime Minister, arid then proceeded to the Throne.

The American Association at an emergency meeting in Shanghai passed a resolution that a strong protest be made to Washington after reports that Washington had ordered Admiral T. C. Hart, of the United States Navy, to accept the new Japanese plan for a British defence sector patrol. It is disclosed that the Japanese made the first proposal for volunteers to take over the B sector instead of the

Americans, to which Washington agreed and ordered Admiral Hart and Colonel Peck, of the United States Marines, to abandon their stand for marine occupation. Admiral Hart has sailed for Tsingtao. Meanwhile, Scottish and Jewish civilian companies of volunteers are being mobilized to take over B sector. The National Broadcasting Company picked up a German radio broadcast asserting that the Nippon Yusen Kaisha line had sent radio messages to its vessels at sea not to proceed to British ports or to enter British territorial waters “under any circumstances.” A Japanese spokesman in Tokyo is reported to have said that Japanese subjects are to be evacuated from European danger zones. Britain is stated to be included in these zones. The spokesman is also reported to have said that Germany had been asked to guarantee the safety of three ships carrying Japanese subjects % at present On their way to Lisbon.