PRESS ATTACKS ON THAILAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLX, Issue 22028, 30 July 1941, Page 5

PRESS ATTACKS ON THAILAND

FAMILIAR TACTICS BY JAPAN President Returns To Washington By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (1 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. The Japanese radio has opened a campaign against Thailand. Tokio alleges that British troops are moving up to the frontier. It is pointed out in London that the campaign is similar to that launched against Indo-China before the occupation took place. President Roosevelt is returning to Washington to discuss the Far Eastern situation with Congressional leaders and defence chiefs. It is stated that the sanctions move by the Netherlands East Indies deprives Japan of 2,000,000 tons of oil a year. It is officially stated at Hanoi that the Japanese occupation Started on the Annam coast and Nhatrang air base. The Government announced that it had agreed to turn over eight air bases to Japan, including Toufstoe and Nhatrang (Annam Coast), SOptrang, Bien- [ hoa and Tansonnhut (cochin China, the latter two at Saigon), Siemreap and Pnompenh (Cambodia) and Kompontrach (south-west coast). Hie United States Administration expects that loopholes in the economic front against Japan will be closed by the Latta-American countries, taking action parallel with the United States, although Mr Sumner Welles, in a statement, said these coui)trifes were free to act in any Way they deettied advisable. It is known in Washington that officials are developing a plan fbr a co-operative policy. This will preveht Japan from importing from Sbiitli America goods she is unable to obtata from the United States and elsewhere. The Japanese newspaper “Asahi Shimbun,” interpreting the Netherlands East Indies freezing of Japanese assets as rejecting Japan’s proposal for co-operation, also Dutch participation in the encircling of Japan, says Japan must now leave nothing undone in order to cope with the immediate issues arising from the Dutch action and at the same tithe undertake to smash the evil dream of the Dutch authorities wearing the skin of the British lion and the feathers of the American eagle to defy Japan. The newspaper “Hochl Shimbun” declared that it should be thoroughly borne in mind by hostile countries such as Britain, the United States and the Netherlands East Indies that the accomplishment of Japan’s South Sea coprosperity sphere is an historic and absolute task for attainment of which Japan is firmly, immutably and determined to break through any disturbances. It urges calm reflection on the part of the nations concerned of the evil influences of their attitude toward Japan. “Miayaka,” asserting that the war is spreading eastward, said the United States was resorting to threats to Japan without taking "direct action” because “she is not fully ready to fight Japan and thinks that bluff still can be played to Japan.” Japan froze Dutch Government and Dutch Indies Hong Kong assets. The Information Board spokesman (Mr Ishii) said Nanking likewise would freeze foreign assets. He added that he was unable to disclose Whether Japan desired ah agreement With Thailand similar to the joint defence pact with Indo-Ohlna. In Tokio to-day the seal will be set on the agreement between Vichy and Japan giving Japan bases to IndoChina. The agreement is to be ratified at an extraordinary . session of the Japanese Privy Council to the presence of the Emperor Hirohito. Reports from Vichy state that the Japanese have occupied two points on the coast of Indo-China and other points to the interior. The Japanese will have the use of roads and railways for the transport of troops. The Japanese have already occupied eight aerodromes and are taking over the airport at Saigon and others close to the Thailand border. Britain and the United States are collaborating to keeping a close touch on the situation in the Far East. The British Commonwealth and the United States are pursuing parallel courses. This was announced to-day by Mr Sumner Welles (Under-Secretary of State), who said that the two countries were conferring to secret, together with other nations. Ih speaking of South America, Mr Welles said that the United States would welcome similar action by other American nations. The L.itish Ambassador (Lord Halifax) also saw Mr Welles and discussed with him the economic measures which were being taken againt Japan. The Tokio correspondent of the British United Press states that a near panic spread among traders on the Stock Exchange. The Government has ordered the Official Securities Company to advance funds to check tumbling prices. Mr M. Kano (London manager of the Yokohama Specie Bank) expressed the view that there was no reason why Japan should default to her external debt in retaliation for Britain and America freezing her assets. The view was based on the assumption that even under pressure the present measures there was sufficient trade between Japan and the democracies to enable the debt service to be continued. Mr Kano hinted that much depended on the stringency with which Britain and America chose to interpret the decision to freeze Japanese assets. The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Mall” says more French officers and leading citizens believed to have opposed Indo-China’s surrender, were arrested under the orders of the Vichy Government. Discontent is especially great in the army. Several generals called on Marshal Petain on July 27, protestin-: against the detention of