ACTION FOR DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1941, Page 5

ACTION FOR DEFENCE

ANTICIPATION OF STEADYING EFFECT JAPAN’S NEW ATTITUDE. MEMORY OF BELLIGERENT THREATS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. February 20. The recent strengthening of British bomber forces in Malaya, followed by the arrival at Singapore of some thousands of Australian troops, all equipped and munitioned entirely by Australian factories, will, it is believed here, have a steadying effect on the situation in the Far East. “The Times'’ says: “We should now feel safe against any unpleasant surprises.” The Foreign Office spokesman’s statements in Tokio attributed the misgivings in the Far East to the "warlike preparations of Britain and the United States to meet supposed contingencies in the Pacific." In view of) the events of the past few months this attitude causes surprise in London, where it is recalled that Japan's open declaration of her determination to make a drive southward followed close j on her action in allying herself with i Britain's enemies through the signa- ' ture of the Tripartite Pact. The special message now received i from the Japanese Foreign Minister | Mr Matsuoka. is being most carefully , considered at the Foreign Office, and a reply will in due course be dispatch-j cd. It is assumed that the terms of this communication will also be sent to the United States, where the announcement of Britain's Singapore reinforcements has been, welcomed. They are regarded as the counterpart of the precautionary measures taken in the United States' possessions in the Western Pacific. It is understood that in the Japanese messages to Britain there are incidental references to Japan’s readiness to act as a mediator not only in greater East Asia but anywhere in the world. The possibility is raised in the Press that Germany may have insisted on this gesture and an offer of Japanese mediation in the war with Germany may be contemplated.

The answer to any such offer has already been given by Mr Churchill. With the approval of the entire British Empire he made it clear that peace is out of the question until the enemy is completely overthrown. “The Times" says little doubt is felt that Japan is being made the more or less willing tool of Nazi aggression, though she will naturally do her best to find some way of supporting the Axis against Great Britain which American opinion would consider to be outside the sphere of vital American interests. This is a situation calling clearly for the closest co-operation between the British Governments most directly concerned and their recognition of it has been clearly shown. The “Daily Telegraph," commenting on the mediation gesture says it is only to be wished that Japan would show the way by’ restoring the peace she has been disturbing for the past five years. SOVIET COMMENTS ON JAPANESE WEAK POINTS. CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW. (By Telegraph-—Press Association—Copyright 1 LONDON. February 20. The Information Bureau in Tokioi announced that the Russo-Japanese i trade conference started on February 17 in Moscow, with the Japanese Ambassador. I aeutenant-General Tatekawa. and the Soviet Acting-Foreign Trade Commissar, M. Kaganovich, attending, “in accordance with views! readied a .short time ago between Lieu- i nant-Gviieral Tatekawa and M. Molotov.” 'Die Soviet Army organ “Red Star" ■ comments on what is de-cribed us 1 Japan's weak point in the war of | nerve.*: now going on with Britain and • the United States. Referring to the I course of Japan's military preparu- * lions ami her movement southward, ill “Weak and vulnerable points in \ these preparations were recently point- ; rd out bv the president of a Japanese I metal concern who issued a reminder ■ that Japan depends to a considerable extent on .supplies of raw materials, from abroad,” j The “Rid Star" contrast'; the stale- . nu-nw mad<- by Japanese diplomat : mid the reported activities of Japanr\ military authorities, and remarks that ’ .■a-me foreign observers tmd .. mri.uii ' division between the diplomata,- and ' military dt’pai ImenU in J.sp.m Sill’ll the c.ihlr »•<•••.•.•. oil ps.-*’ •■>•> !’ '<i hr-iitr.! r., : p<-ar»-.! in ”Th<- . 1-s r-ibtr! -o A mraU.i ... i to,- ; mc' lai i rrn;ls: p. !,<- ! mat tl-r opir.ic-t tra.-.r- ■ ' — Thm-.” iiiili'-o rxerr-. I-,- - i >,.