BRITISH-U.S. STAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 190, 14 August 1941, Page 5

BRITISH-U.S. STAND

HANDS OFF THAILAND MOVE WILL BE MET BY MOVE Reed. 9.15 p.m.) New York, Aug. 12. The New York Times Tokio correspondent says that the American and British stand in the Far Eastern crisis, as expressed in the recent statements by the I nited States Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, and the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, was formally conveyed to ti.e Japanese Government by the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Craigie, and the United States Ambassador, Mr. Joseph Grew, in recent interviews with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Admiral Toyoda. As a result of these steps, as well as the direct discussions between Mr. Hull and the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Admiral K. Nomura, the Japanese Government has been officially informed that any ac.J r a which will threaten the independence of Thailand will be a matter of immediate concern, and Britain and the United States are prepared to meet any step Japan may take, move for move. As Mr. Eden warned, that any threat to Thailand's independence threatens the security of Singapore, on which hinges the whole position of both Britain and the United States in the Far East, there is little doubt in Japanese minds to-day what Ihe next step would be. London, Aug. 12.

It is learned on good authority that the Japanese High Command is planning to concentrate 180,000 troops in Indo-China, the majority of wvhom will be stationed in West Cambodia, adjoining the Thailand border, says the Associated Press Saigon correspondent. Colonel Sarablaga, leader of the Thai Boundary Commission, said that Thailand would welcome foreign aid if attacked, but at present there was no pressure from any quarter. He added that Thailand could not consider demands for military or naval bases, or the right of troop transit. Any armed attempt to violate Thailand’s neutrality would be resisted by all available means.

The Japanese newspaper Kokumin said that the United States and Britain had been warned that any further pressure on Japan would bring nothing but the worst situation, and Japan would go ahead with her grim *esolve towards the establishment of her sphere in East Asia. Well-informed circles in London are unable to see any prospect of a lasting peaceful settlement emerging from lhe present crisis. They believe* that If Japan does not press the present crisis to the point of war immediately, she will at least remain poised, ready to pounce when she thinks the time more opportune. The New York Herald-Tribune says that if Russia collapses. or Vichy agrees to help make the South Atlantic a German playground, then Japan will surge onward.—U.P.A.