Agreement Thought to Be Near

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22065, 11 September 1941, Page 5

Agreement Thought to Be Near

Japanese and U.S. Talks

Tokio May Leave the Axis

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (R«c. 10.1 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 10. THE UNITED STATES and Japan are reported to be nearing an agreement on Pacific problems, declares the “Herald-Tribune.” Prince Konoye (Prime Minister), it is believed, is likely to announce to-morrow hew the negotiations are progressing and will proclaim an independent policy for Japan in future. The bases of the negotiations have been:— (1) Japan to quit the Axis; (2) To renounce further aggression in the South Pacific and Siberia; (3) Japan to remove her forces from Central China; (4) Japan to withdraw from Indo-China and confine her activities in the Southern Pacific to trading. The United States in return would unfreexe Japanese assets and resume normal trade. Many points remain to he ironed out, but the parties are believed to be reaching a general agreement. Shanghai diplomats have heard that the Japanese and American negotiations are expected to conclude this week with a preliminary agreement aimed at complete rapprochement, subject to possible Army pro-Axis opposition. They anticipate that the Washington and Tokio announcements of an agreement would take a most conservative view of the difficult nature of the problems. The effect would be a long term Japanese withdrawal from the Axis, permitting the United States . to withdraw its Fleet to the Atlantic, and opening a Vladivostock to the flow of United States’ supplies to Russia. The United States and Britain would be able to concentrate on Sending war material to the Middle East, Near East and Russia. It was indicated that the j Japanese were already discussing a possible similar - Anglo-Japanese rapprochement.

The well-known political commentator, Mr Yoshitaro Shimlza, writing in “Hochl Shimbun,” said in connection with Japanese-American rapproachement negotiations: "If Japan allows herself to toe played into the haiids of the United States, then the American dollar will dominate East Asia and an Irretrievable fate will overtake Japan. Let Us not lose the alms Of our crusade. Let the thousands to be sacrificed on the altar Of this crusade be worthy of their death. This la the outcry of the entire nation.” A message from Tokio says that Admiral Toyoda (Foreign Minister) reported to Cabinet and the Privy Council on the recent diplomatic developments including 12 conferences with the American Ambassador (Mr Joseph drew). It is believed that Japan would withdraw her Objections to America’s oil, going to Vladivostock if the United States resumed oil shipments to Japan. "The Shanghai correspondent of the united Press says that Informed circles believe that the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) is doing his utmost to resist army pro-Axis pressure and are therefore of the opinion that the heralded public announcement by the Prime Minister Win be vague but might sitawt some progress toward a better understanding with America. Other sources pointed to the decision of Britain and Japan to evacuate nationals as indicating doubt that an agreement is near. According to the Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press Germany is recruiting several hundred Chinese teamen to serve aboard heavily armed Gertnau freighters which Will sail from North China to Japanese harbours under the Japanese flag. Authorities at Shanghai think the ®enW teV£c? ldere agalnst “Britain will take a serious view of any further southward expansion by Japan,” said Mr A. Duff Cooper qn arrival at Singapore. He was unable to sak what action Britain might take bbt Japanese provocation Would meet strong British reaction. There had been aslbWihg down in the Far Eastern tempo but no lowering of temperature. He added that the purpose of his visit

was to report to the British Cabinet on the desirability of appointing a representative In the Far East similar to Captain Oliver Lyttelton’s appointment at Cairo. Before returning to Britain in six months Mr Duff Cooper will visit Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands East Indies, Burma and possibly China.

Evacuation Plans The Japanese Foreign Office announced that Japan will send ships to Britain and other parts of the British Empire to evacuate Japanese nationals. Three ships will be dispatched to the Straits Settlements, India, the Near East and West Africa. A fourth ship carrying Japanese diplomats, military and naval attaches to replace those at present In Europe will bring evacuees from Europe. There are 600 Japanese In the British Isles, 700 in Malaya. 200 in India, 60 in the Near East and 40 in East Africa. A British ship is expected in Japan soon to remove British nationals. The defences of Malaya have been strengthened by the extension of the defence zone of two hundred miles north of Singapore. A special order puts 120 miles of coastline, under military control, and steps have been taken to control the mouths of rivers running into the China Sea from Central Malaya, as it Is thought that this Would be the most likely line for sea attack. The Australian Minister of Trade and Customs (Mr E. J* Harrison) said that Australia was not contemplating an extension of her trade agreement with Japan. Trade between the two countries Was now virtually at a standstill, and Australia felt the Same Way as Britain.

The British Embassy at Tokio announces that the China Navigation Company’s 3494 ton steamer Anhui, <s arriving at Yokohama on September 24 to evacuate British nationals. . The Privy Council adjourned after a two hour meeting. No details have been divulged, but the Dome! News Agency teys the Council heard LieutenantGeneral Tojo (Minister of War) report on the general European war situation and the army chief of staff, MajorGenera! Okamoto, report on the Russian-German war developments.