AMERICA DETERMINED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 189, 13 August 1941, Page 5

AMERICA DETERMINED

JAPANESE OFFICIAL WARNS JAPAN WASHINGTON READY TO ACT (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) Tokio, Aug. IlMr. Kaname Wakasugi, of the Japanese Foreign Service, who is returning to Japan, said in a radio interview from Washington with the Nichi Niehl Shimbun: "I think the United States is prepared and determined to meet the worst eventualities. “The speech of the people, the Press, the conduct of industry; everything is directed towards preparedness. Anv person who .saw Hie United States last year cannot possibly imagine the actual America of to-day because everything is changed. "I do not think that Japan is stalling anything, but it seems that the United States programme is set and ready for action in case Japan moves.”

(Reed. 8.10 p.m.) London, Aug. 11. Mr. Wakasugi said the United States desires friendly relations with Japan and will never take the initiative in hostile action, but Washington is resolved to meet any further Japanese advance move for move, whatever the consequences.

I The New York Times' Tokio cor- | respondent, Mr. Otto Tohschus, says i that Mr. Wakasugi’s declaration con-. (lot verts'the entire propaganda thesis <>t the Japanese Press, which has been charging the United States and Britain with aggressive designs again! Japan and Thailand. Coming on top oi Japanese Press dispatches irom London, intimating that Britain is now prepared to fight to defend ner Far Eastern interests, the declaration has created a profound impression. The Nichi Nichi Shimbun headlined the interview: "United States Attitude Changes Suddenly.” Mr. Wakasugi declined to discuss Thailand, saying: "It is a very delicate question." Lest Japan should have any illusions left about American isolationists, who have been hers, as well as Germany’s, best hope, Mr Wakasugi emphasised: “The influence of anti-war advocates is not great now that America is engrossed in a national defence expansion.” I Finally, Mr. Wakasugi gave | what appears to be a piece of , advice to the Japanese Press, and, in the view of the Japan Times j Advertiser, to the authorities as I Well. He said: “Ameriian-Japa-I nese relations are so closely connected with the whole world situa- ( tion, that it is better not to I aggravate them, even carelessly. I Instead of being excited, 1 think I tact and redoubled prudence are in order." —U.P.A. The Peking bureau of the Associated Press of America says that the United States Embassy made new representations to the Japanese Embassy about the treatment of Americans’ in Tsing-tao. Besides suffering restrictions on their right to travel, the Americans are not permitted to use taxi-cabs. Americans are also finding it increasingly difiicult to purchase necessaries, such as food and coal. The Hochi Shimbun says that informed sources at Vladivostok revealed that the United States had proposed that America and Russia should take concerted defensive measures in the event of a third Power attacking lhe Netherlands Indies. France published Darlan's picture on page one" But did they add, Mistei S., that almost half of the papers printed the picture in the fifth column. Reynolds then dealt will: the new German propaganda campaign, which he said, "si aits to-morrow in America." He said: “You know, Mister S., that Britain has eyes and ears all over Europe and even in Germany, and here wo know all about your I new peace offensive. 11 has died be-, ; fore it was born.” I Reynolds finally told Hitler that his : greatest mistake was to “awaken the dead” in England. "When you bombed Plymouth. Francis Drake came out of his legendary past to live once more in the city from which he lias so often sailed," iie said. "Am. when Slap Happy Hermann's futile fusiliers bombed and machine-gunneil the lightships, do you think that Nelson slept? Once more Nelson was roused, and to-day hi . spirit rides the bridge of every ship that flies the British flag. "It is dangerous Io awaken lhe dead, Mister S. De you think, then,