EXPORT BANNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 180, 2 August 1940, Page 5

EXPORT BANNED

AVIATION GASOLINE AMERICA TAKES ACTION JAPAN MAINLY AFFECTED

I. By Telegraph—Press Association—Gopyright] Received. Aug. 1, 5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON. July 31. President Roosevelt has banned the export of aviation gasoline outside the Western Hemisphere. The order bars Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan from access to United States aviation fuel. The ban prevents resale to nonAmerican countries by a purchaser in the Western Hemisphere. Japa “ ’ ’mbassy sources indicated that Japan will view the ban seriously. BRITISH ATTITUDE LONDON, July 31. It is recognised in Britain that President Roosevelt’s ban on the export of aviation spirit is a natural step l in America’s defence policy and is designed to conserve vital resources. The ban has come as no surprise in this country. It is stated that Japan is the only substantial buyer. Britain does not import large quan-l ties from the United States, and. in any case relies on other sources of I supply. BRITAIN NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECTED JAPAN ALMOST ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON U.S. Received Aug. 1. 10.30 p.m. > LONDON, Aug. 1. The Daily Telegraph says that the ban on the export of aviation petrol from America will not seriously affect Britain. During the first eight months of the war America exported 800,000 barrels, of which Britain took slightly below 300,000. The petroleum expert, Dr. Oscar Tokayer, said that the British stocks were very high, and the quantity of aviation petrol at present being consumed were comparatively small. Stocks were available for many months and all British requirements were easily obtainable in the Dutch West Indies, which was now in the British sphere of influence. A refinery for high-grade petrol was also being constructed in the Dutch East Indies. These supplies were payable in sterling, causing less strain on the Treasury than payments in dollars. The Telegraph says that GerI many is handicapped by a limited ; quantity of high-grade fuel, the j shortage of which is responsible ! for German fighters failing to ati tain their claimed speed. The . Telegraph adds that the ban af- | fects Japan because she is almost i entirely dependent on American j supplies. ANTI-JAPANESE MOVE I NAVY SPOKESMAN'S COMMENT . Received Aug. 1. 9.5 p.m. TOKIO, Aug. 1. The Navy's spokesman, Captain ; Okuma, commenting on Mr. Roosc- . veil's ban on the sale of gasoline, ■ said: "Irrespective of the pretext, there is no doubt that it represents an anti-Japanese move designed to bring economic pressure to bear on Japan, constituting an unfriendly act. If the United States continues on such lines it is certain to cause international repercussions, although the United States may have fully considered them.” Asked whether the ban might not be aimed at Italy and Germany, he replied: “Roosevelt probably intended ? to kill two birds with one stone. It ’ will not affect Japan’s military opera--1 tions.”