JAPAN’S AIMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 5

JAPAN’S AIMS

A SOUTHWARD MOVE OLD ORDER MUST GO UNITED STATES HAS THE “SCREW FULLY ON”

(By Taleffraph—Prea* Asaocialion —Copyright) TOKIO, Jan. 9. Admiral Baron Osumi, senior naval member of the Japanese Supreme War Council, in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, urged his countrymen to acquire a good knowledge of the South Seas region preparatory to expansion in that direction. He said: "The Pacific may prove a misnomer. I know for certain that the future will see an aggravation of the sitution. Japan has to expand in some direction, and the common desire of humanity is to expand in the direction of heat and light. I have yet to hear of a great task performed easily. People adhering to the old order or acting contrary to their preachment of God as benevolent, are all sure to put obstacles in the way of Japan. “There is not the slightest intention that Japan should exploit the South Seas, but they are prevented from understanding Japan’s intention. They are purchasing warships and planes, and I am afraid, will not be of any great help in the trouble with us.”

When asked to define the South Seas Admiral Osumi said the region includes countries “whose mention by name would strike terror in the hearts of some people. We have no thought of conniving in outrage and intolerance much longer.” Significance Attached to Statement. Much significance is attached to the statement in Washington, as Admiral Osumi is a former Navy Minister and a delegate to the League of Nations. Hitherto the navy's views have not been made plain, but Admiral Osumi's statement exceeds the frankness of recent utterances of the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, and the Foreign Minister, Mr. Y. Matsuoka, and coincides with bitter criticism in all sections of the Press of the policy of the Unietd States President, Mr. F. D. Roosevelt, The Japanese Government is calling a four-day conference, beginning on Tuesday, with the Diet leaders, representatives of financial interests, and the Press, because "it goes without saying that a fuller measure of co-operation with the Government is necessary to cope with the situation as to make possible hope for phenomenal development in our national destiny.”

Last Screw Turned On. In Washington diplomatic circles state that the situation in the Far East is "balancing on the edge of a knife.” It is fe4t that the last screw of indirect pressure against Japan has been turned on by the United States and that a further clarification of the situation should be awaited. While the United States does not fear a declaration of war by Japan it would deefat her own purpose to provoke one. Both the State Department and British diplomatic establishments think that Japan is in a highly excitable state of mind and will most likely regard as provocation ant further move by the United States.