JAPAN TO HAVE RICE

Southland Times, Issue 24500, 30 July 1941, Page 5

JAPAN TO HAVE RICE

Terms Of Agreement With Vichy LONDON, July 28. The Vichy Government announced that the Japanese would occupy two points on the Indo-Chinese coast and several points in the interior. The delivery of rice from Indo-China to Japan is one of the essential points of the agreement between the two countries. The announcement omitted all _ the previous allusions to Anglo-Chinese threats against Indo-China and declared that Japan asked for these concessions on behalf of her own interests. The Domei News Agency says Japan has decided to litjuidate her trade relations with the United States and Britain and concentrate on trading in East Asia on the basis of give and take. The Japan Times-Advertiser describes . the United States as the hostile leader in a grim economic battle against Japan. The Associated Press of Great _ Britain correspondent says informed circles in Tokyo stated that action in the Netherlands East Indies might produce even more far-reaching consequences, particularly a stoppage of oil supplies. LATIN AMERICAN ATTITUDE The United States Under-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, stated in Washington that Latin American countries were free to act in any way they deemed advisable over the economic measures against Japan. He declined to indicate whether American oil shipments to Japan would be stopped or to say whether Japan was seeking military concessions in Thailand, but declared that the United States, Britain and other countries vzere directly interested and in close consultation. Lieutenant-General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army in the Far East, Issued a warning that his forces were ready for any eventuality and would defend American interests in that zone whatever the cost and effort. The British United Press Tokyo correspondent says a near panic spread today among traders on the Stock Exchange. The Government ordered the Official Securities Company to advance funds to check ,'umbling prices. SHIPS AVAILABLE FOR AUSTRALIA (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 29. “More American freighters probably will be available for trade with Australia and other parts of the British Empire following the embargo on trade with Japan,” said the Minister of Commerce, Sir Earle Page, today.. Shipping men had told him that seven more freighters and possibly five oil tankers would be available for the Australian service. NO ADVICE IN DOMINION (Special) WELLINGTON, July 29. “I hope this is correct,” said the acting Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash) when a repoi*t from Australia indicating that as a result of interference with the normal trade between the United States and Japan a number of extra United States ships, including tankers, would be available for the Australian trade was referred to him. “I would be very pleased to take advantage of any such increase in the number of American ships trading with New Zealand,” Mr Nash added. “So far, however, we have had no advice to this effect.”