NO THREATS BY JAPAN

Southland Times, Issue 24524, 27 August 1941, Page 5

NO THREATS BY JAPAN

MR CHURCHILL’S SPEECH VIEW TAKEN IN TOKYO (Rec. 8.15 p.m. ) NEW YORK, August 25. The New York Times correspondent, Otto D. Tolischus, in a message from Tokyo, says the general inclination is to view Mr Churchill’s speech against the more optimistic statements of the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, from Washington and the diverse reports about American offers to Japan, which have aroused new hopes for easing the tension in the Pacific. While the vernacular Press does not fail to indulge in the automatic charges that everything taking place is a British and American plot and to reiterate Japan’s firm determination, the general tenor’ of the comments so far is rather defensive and is especially marked by the absence of any threats. Foreigners in Shanghai are becoming increasingly worried at the Japanese construction of wire barricades around the entire International Settlement and the French Concession, fearing the possibility of a repetition of the 1939 Tientsin blockade. Japanese military officers say the barricades are designed for a closer check of the Chinese. The Japanese have constructed 25 miles of barbed wire barricades and have also blocked the highways into singlelane thoroughfares. BLOCKADE POSSIBLE Some informed circles anticipate tha l . in the event of a worsening of the Pacific situation the Japanese might blockade Shanghai, cutting off essential food and supplies, which would probably result in the Chinese rioting, which would give the Japanese control of the municipal police and administration. The Associated Press Shanghai correspondent reports that a Tokyo despatch quoted well-informed quarters as saying that Japan had decided temporarily to permit American war materials to go to Vladivostok, using its permission as a lever to relax the American economic restrictions. The Tokyo newspaper Kokumin Shimbun, organ of the Japanese Army, describes Mr Churchill’s broadcast as “the Union Jack’s sinister design to cause world-wide disturbances” and also charges Britain with making use of the Japanese advance into Thailand to lead the United States to take a hand in the southward issue

In a message from Chungking the correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that Mr Churchill’s reference to the United States negotiating for a settlement with Japan burst-upon the public of China with the effect of a shock and provoked dismayed images of a Far East appeasement. Official circles, however, said they could not conceive the possibility of any settlement not fully within the eight-point declaration. The Vice-Premier, Mr H. H. Kung, said: “I am sure the friendly Powers will not betray China.” VIEW OF EAST INDIES Mr Churchill’s speech has cheated a most favourable impression in the Dutch East Indies. Informed circles point out that the “one by one” theory would not apply to the Far East as the American, British, Chinese and Dutch East Indies front was a proof of unity. It is believed in Batavia that Japan has suffered severely from her Axis alignment and certain responsible elements in the Japanese Government who are far-seeing would gladly grasp the opportunity of negotiating to rid themselves of their Axis partners. Such responsible men realize Japan’s tremendous trade possibilities in the Pacific, which would be lost if the Japanese Army elements in the Government decide on a war policy. Mr J. G. Mulder, a leading official of the Dutch East Indies Institute of Foreign Exchanges, is leaving shortly for Hong Kong to discuss monetary problems. He is calling also at Chungking, Singapore and Manila and returning to Batavia via the Burma Road. The New York Herald-Tribune says the Government has recalled the American Army’s and Navy’s language students from Japan. Thev have already sailed for Shanghai. The New York Herald-Tribune also says official quarters in Washington have little faith in the outcome of the informal talks with Japan. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, in a statement to the Press, said that only informal talks were in progress with Japan concerning the differences in the Pacific. Mr Hull indicated that the United States was unwilling to compromise in any way on the fundamental principles and policies. He declined to discuss Mr Churchill’s references to Japan.