“JAPAN FOR JAPS”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 118, 22 May 1942, Page 5

“JAPAN FOR JAPS”

NEV/ SLOGAN ADOPTED PACIFIC WAR COUNCIL MR. NASH'S ANNOUNCEMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Washington, May 20. Members of the Pacific War Council came away from to-day’s meeting in exceptionally good spirits. Mr. Walter Nash (New Zealand), who acted as spokesman at a Press conference, said that the members had adopted the slogan “Japan for the Japanese.” Asked what this meant, he told the Press to make its own interpretation. Reporters then suggested that it meant pushing the Japanese back into their own islands and keeping them there. Members of the council made no comment on the suggestion, but the Pressmen gained the impression that there was unanimous and earnest agreement on such a desirable objective. Mr. Nash said that the meeting was the most interesting yet held. They had outlined and examined a general picture which he described as “Not bad.” “But we have still a long wav to go,” he added At this point Lord Halifax interposed, “W> are building up.” Mr. Nash said that Mr. Roosevelt had described in detail General Doolittle’s magnificent exploit in the bombing of Tokio, which was very thrilling. Mr. Nash said: “We’ll have to think up another of that type.” Dr. Soong (China) said they wished the slogan “Japan for the Japanese” to be disseminated for general circulation and comment, from which a synthesis of ideas would be drawn up and also a decision made “as to where we shall go from there,” but he did not explain his parable. Asked about. China and the Chinese appeal for help, Dr. Soong replied that personal!’’ he had not received any appeals. and he had not seen any except in the Press. He added: “It does appear that Japan is attacking China from several new points, for instance, first, in -Chekiang Province on the coast; secondlv, she is massing men and planes at Hankow; and, thirdly, there is frontier fighting in Yunnan Province, where the conflict is at present favourable to China.” “It looks as if Japan is going to make a very serious effort to defeat China this summer,” Dr. Soong said. Asked if this grave threat to China had been discussed at the council meeting, he replied in the negative, but explained that the joint General Staff was considering the China situation all the time. Asked if China was satisfied with the help the Uniled States had furnished so far. Dr. Soong replied: “China will never be satisfied until full victory is won.” Reporters deduced from the way questions were dodged that President Roosevelt was the author of the slogan “Japan for the Japanese.”