JAPAN’S SOUTH PACIFIC EXPANSION PLANS

Southland Times, Issue 24353, 6 February 1941, Page 7

JAPAN’S SOUTH PACIFIC EXPANSION PLANS

CONCERN OVER LATEST MOVES (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 5, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The likelihood of Japan gaining a naval base in Camranh Bay as a reward for mediation in the Thailand-Indo-China dispute is causing concern in British, American and Chinese circles. The Chinese insist that Japan’s moves presage an attack on Singapore. British and American diplomats admit that the moves mean that Japan has obtained an important jumping-off place for her South Pacific expansion plans, of which the Dutch East Indies are at present the goal. Well-informed circles believe that the Dutch East Indies will be able to resist a Japanese attack for only two months. Japanese militarists are convinced that the proper time to launch an offensive against the East Indies will be at the time of Germany’s expected all-out attack on Britain. There is no belief that Japan can be made to surrender her East Asia policy either by threats or by mildly punitive actions like embargoes. Since embargo and threat tactics were evolved there has been a great intensification of the “totalitarianisation” of Japan, and the militarists are in complete control. The Tokyo newspaper, Kokumin Shimbun, says it is selfevident that Japan will go forward with her fixed policy. It will not matter what attitude the Dutch East Indies takes towards Japan’s request for co-operation. A fresh development in the Far Eastern situation was a statement today by M. Molotov, the Soviet Prime Minister. He said he was willing to appoint representatives to discuss a trade treaty with Japan. It is believed that Japan is making an effort to clinch German assurances regarding Soviet neutrality by the formulation of a RussianJapanese non-aggression pact. Russia has become an extremely important factor, but the paramount factor is Germany’s mooted all-out attack on Britain. The successful repulsion of this attack will be the strongest deterrent to Japan.