JAPAN’S DESIGNS IN THE PACIFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20610, 26 December 1936, Page 11

JAPAN’S DESIGNS IN THE PACIFIC

SEQUEL TO PRESS REPORT FEARS OF ARMAMENTS RACE AMERICAN REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 25, 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, December 24. According to the newspaper “Niehl Nlchi,” the Foreign Minister, Mr Arita will shortly make a statement expressing Japan’s willingness to cooperate with the United States in preventing a Japanese and American naval race for the control of the Pacific. Mr Arita will suggest a new agreement, replacing the naval treaties expiring at the end of the year.

AMERICA’S EVASIVE REPLY 81-LATERAL DISCUSSION NOT FAVOURED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 25, 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORX, December 24. Tire Washington correspondent of “The New York Times” states that the United States will adhere to the policy of avoiding exclusively bi-lateral discussions of broad Pacific problems with Japan or any other nation, but it is expected to encourage consideration of peace machinery in the Pacific, among all Interested Powers. This is an informal authoritative reaction to the intimation of “The Niehl Niehl” of Toklo, that Mr Arita, the Japanese Foreign Minister, is planning to indicate Japan’s desire to discuss Pacific questions with the United States.

Last Wednesday the cable messages from Toklo reported that the “Jiji Shlmpo” had published a sensational story that Britain, France, the United States, the Netherlands and the Philippines were organising a policy to thwart Japan’s southward advance, which they regard as menacing their interests in south-east Asia and in the south Pacific, and also to meet the new German-Japanese pact. The paper added that, to reinforce Singapore and Hongking, a new antiJapanese base would be established on an island off South China, Including fortifications, oil tanks and an air base. For this purpose, it was alleged, English capital of 10,600,000 Slno dollars has been appropriated.