NEW ORDER IN EAST ASIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22031, 2 August 1941, Page 5

NEW ORDER IN EAST ASIA

Japanese Policy Construction Said To Be Completed By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. 10.30) TOKIO, August 1 The newspaper "Asahi Shimbun” says that Major-General Sumita, head of the Japanese military mission in Indo-China in an interview, declared that Japan's construction of the New Order in East Asia was completed. A Washington message says that Mr Sumner Welles (Acting Secretary of State) announced that Japan had promised an investigation and full indemnities for the bombing of the Tutuila, and the incident is closed. Admiral Normura expressed official regrets and gave an assurance that all precautions would be taken against a repetition. Congressional and popular support for President Roosevelt’s foreign policy has unquestionably been strengthened by the bombing of the United States warship Tutuila, by the Japanese, states a Washington report. The House Military Affairs Committee approved a resolution similar to that of the Senate, favouring extension of military service. Last week the situation over the measure was causing political leaders considerable concern. To-day its passage seems assured. Occupation of Saigon The Saigon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the Japanese Army formally entered Saigon in a parade taking three hour s. Lieutenant - General Shojiro lida is commander.

Japanese fighter aeroplanes and bombers landed at the Saigon airfield to-day.

The Japanese forces have occupied Pnom-Penh (Cambodia), and 60 Japanese warships are lying off Capest. Japanese sources are urging that Thailand should fall in line with IndoChina and come under Japanese protection. The Thai consul-general in Singapore, however, is reported as saying that Thailand will not grant bases to any nation.

General Chiang Kai-shek is reported to have ordered a “scorched earth” policy in Chinese territory bordering on French Indo-China. All bridges and roads in a 20-mlle strip have been destroyed. The Japanese army announced to the Press to-day that because of the infiltration into Chungking of agents who were trying to create Japanese-Ameri-can incidents in North China, the Japanese authorities were taking protective measures regarding American establishments in certain, areas, incertaln areas, including Peiping, Tientsin and Chefoo. Oil Problem The oil problem dominates the Japanese political scene, according to the Toklo correspondent of the “New York Times.”

The Commerce Ministry’s fuel bureau has reported to Cabinet that Japan has enough oil stored for some time, but if her oil supplies are cut off Japan will have to act with great determination.

The Toklo press, shaking off restraint, sees Batavia's action in conjunction with the assumption by the United States of the control of the Philippines forces, as part of encirclement, and states that even more determined efforts must be made to construct a sphere of self-sufficiency enclosing China, Indo-China and Thailand. The construction of such a sphere is Japan’s divine mission.

Protest Rejected It is reported from Washington that President Roosevelt and the British Ambassador to the United States (Lord Halifax) conferred yesterday on the situation in the Far East. Lord Halifax said after the conference that the discussion concerned any future position that might eventuate. He made no further comment.

The Japanese Minister of Finance has told the people of Japan to expect an Increase in British and American pressure, but he emphasised the determination of the Government to continue its policy. The Saigon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that a fully equipped Japanese army of crack troops, obviously ready for action, formally occupied Saigon. Observers said that it was a firstclass army, among Japan’s best, and was prepared for any opposition. A Toklo message says that the general mobilisation commission has approved of the ordinance regarding harbour management and marine transportation, aiming at the maximum efficiency in marine transportation. It is understood that the plans establish a new semi-officially agency controlling all harbour facilities and all ships belonging to shipping companies throughout Japan. Reported Agreement The Information Board Spokesman (Mr Ishii) announced that Japan and Thailand had signed an economic agreement, whereby Thailand will extend to Japan credits of 10,000,000 bahts, equivalent to about 15,000,000 yen, whereby it is believed that Japan will obtain Thailand rice. Mr Ishii said that the economic agreement was between the Yokohama Specie Bank and three large Thailand banks. Mr Ishii also said that the RussianJapanese agreement had not been ratified because it was awaiting approval by the Privy Council. However, it has been disclosed that the Foreign Office is studying possible changes before ratification. Vice-Admiral Decoux, in an interview, said that Indo-China would continue as far as possible to maintain economic relations with Britain, America, China and the Netherlands. Indo-China required from these countries supplies which at present were obtainable in insufficient quantities. Indo-China would do nothing which was likely to complicate the international situation in the Far East. The Franco-Japanese accord was Vichy’s business, but Indo-China would loyally execute Vichy’s agreement.