MR. CHURCHILL SEES THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 5

MR. CHURCHILL SEES THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE FIRM

JAPANESE CIRCLES IN LONDON ARE “WELL PLEASED”

Telegraph—Preat Aaeoclation—Copyright) .Received Feb. 25, 8.10 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 24. The Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, gave the Japanese Ambassador in London, Mr. M. Shigemitsu, the British reply to the personal message sent to the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Y. Matsuoka. Later, certain Japanese circles in London said: “We are pleased with Mr. Churchill’s reply, and also the whole interview.” The Japanese said that both men gave assurances that their countries desire to avoid a conflict in the Far East. Mr. Churchill explained the purely precautionary nature of British, American and Allied reinforcements. There was nothing official from the British side, but the Japanese were left in no doubt that Britain is determined to end the war only by victory. Mr. Churchill had material to convince the Japanese that Britain is daily becoming stronger to fulfil her purposes.

Earlier messages said that jreat Britain and the United States warned Japan against a southward drive likely to menace the East Indies and Singapore, and pointed out that if her. ambitions are not checked they will bring Japan into conflict with vital British and American interests in the Pacific. The British warning was given through the Japanese Ambassador in London and through the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Uraigie. BANGKOK (Thai.), Monday.— The United States Minister in Thailand has advised citizens who have no urgent reason for remaining in Thailand to leave for home. Japanese naval activities in the Gulf of Thailand are under careful observation. Meanwhile the belief is growing that the Japanese will attack Burma across Thailand. The Paris radio announced that authorities in Indo-China have cancelled all army leave and the French Far Eastern fleet is reported to be cruising in the Gulf of Siam. The American Minister in Bangkok has advised American women and children, and men who are not essential, to leave Thailand.