LONG MEETING WITH MR HULL

Southland Times, Issue 24597, 20 November 1941, Page 5

LONG MEETING WITH MR HULL

Japanese Envoys

WASHINGTON, November 18. Mr Saburo Kurusu, the special Japanese envoy, and Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, the Japanese Ambassador, after they had met President Roosevelt, talked for two hours and threequarters with the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull. This is the longest conference on record at the State Department. “I am still hopeful of reaching an understanding,” said Mr Kurusu after the interview. Mr Hull would say nothing. Asked if agreement had been reached on any point he would not answer for fear of giving misleading information. Admiral Nomura asked American newspaper men: “Why are you so war minded? Why' do your newspapers take such a tone?” When it was suggested to him that the Japanese newspapers might also be described as warlike he laughed quietly. In Tokyo the Spokesman of the Japanese Information Board, Mr Kunjiro Ishii, declared that the view of th o Japanese newspapers was that there could be no agreement unless the United States stopped assisting China. This, he felt, reflected the opinion of the majority of Japan’s people and it was, of course, according to that opinion that the Government must act. SESSION OF DIET The Tokyo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Prime Minister, General Hideki Tojo, has announced that another extraordinary session of the Diet might be called after the present special session if it was deemed necessary for presenting a united front in the current situation. He spoke to the entire world, not merely to members of the Diet. World attention had been closely focused on the Imperial Diet and therefore the significance of calling an extraordinary session was apparent. Earlier the Japanese House of Representatives passed a resolution, supporting the “Co-prosperity Sphere plan. The resolution declared that the greatest obstacle to the settlement of I the China affair was the activity of hostile nations led by the United States, I whose inordinate desire for world ; hegemony was responsible for the prei sent war.

“The Japanese believe there is no chance of rising without fighting this battle through. Japan must strike | while tire iron is hot,” said a former Minister, Mr Toshio Shimada, speaking in tlic Diet. “The United States is at the root of the world upheaval. She is not only exploiting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, but is interfering with Thailand’s domestic administration and exerting pressure on Burma for the stoppage of vital materials to Japan. The United States is threatening Japan with strengthened Pacific bases and participating in spite of the Monroe Doctrine in the European struggle by aiding Britain. On the occasion of Prince Konoye’s message to Mr Roosevelt the Government explained that its purpose was to locate the cancer in JapaneseAmerican relations. It is clear that the cancer is the present United States leaders. It is absolutely necessary for us to make a big incision in that cancer.” JAPANESE PREPARATIONS Replying to Mr Shimada General Tojo said tire Government had completed all necessary preparations. It had anticipated all possible obstacles and left nothing to be desired in the way of the execution of Japan’s fixed , national policy. “The Government is determined to defend the national existence, but all the responsibility rests with you 400,000,000 people, for which reason I i am reassured to know the people are fully prepared to meet the situation,” he said. “I am confident that Japan will surmount the many difficulties facing her with the firmest determination.” The Foreign Minister, Mr Sigenori Togo, said Mr Kurusu carried no new instructions, but intimated that the mission’s outcome would determine Japan’s interpretation of the Axis alliance obligations. The Diet lost no time in passing the military Budget of 3,800,000,000 yen. The Associated Press Tokyo correspondent states that General Tojo declared today that the Japanese Army is prepared for any eventuality. The Minister of the Navy, Admiral Shigetaro Shimada, announced that the Navy had completed all the necessary preparations.