JAPAN’S PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 272, 17 November 1945, Page 5

JAPAN’S PLANS

INSIGHT TO HER ACTS PEARL HARBOUR BLOW EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT Recd. 12.5 n.m. Washington, Nov. 16 One of the clearest pictures of Japanese machinations from December 2, 194(1, to the time of Pearl Harbour la afforded by a 253-page copy of intercepted messages to Japan placed before the Pearl Harbour Inquiry, which opened to-day by the committee counsel. Mr. William Mitchell. The documents disclosed that the Japanese Consul in Honolulu on December 6. 1941, detailed the ships in Pearl Harbour at that date, and added: ‘‘lt appears that no air reconnaissance is being conducted by the Fleet Air Arm." It also is disclosed that the Japanese obtained charts of the Panama Canal Zone, with the heln of the Italian Ambassador and that elaborate instructions were sent from Tokio to the Military Attache in Washington on December 15, 1941, requiring information on all possible phases of American and Canadian Air, Army and Navy preparations, merchant 'marine movements, defences of the Pacific coast and the Hawaii area. rhe Japane e diplomatic code was broken in the summer of 1941, and the plans were unfolded badly by the Japanese military, who were tinder the illusion that they were protec.ed by a code that had already been broken. I'hese plans were carried on less openly by diplomats, who called President Roosevelt "Miss Kimiko” and Mr. Hull Miss Fumeko." Japan was making ready for war with the United States a year before she sprang the Pearl Harbour assault. The basic Japanese intention was described in a message from CantQn to Tokio on July 14, 1941: "The immediate object of our occupation of Indo China will be to launch from there a rapid at’ack when the internal:, nal situation is suitable. This venture we will carry out, de. pile any difficulties which may arise. We will endeavour, to the las:, to occupy Indo China peacefully, but if re istance is offered wc will crush it by force and occupy the country, and set up martial law. After occufxition the next scheduled move is an ultimatum on the Netherlands East Indies. In seizing Singapore the Kavy will play a principal part." Tokio, in a message to Kurusu (negotiated in U.S.A.), sent on November 22, and translated at Washington the same day, said that negotiations with President Roosevelt and Mr. Hull must be completed by November 29. “After that things ere going to happen!” A message io Tokio was intercepted on December 6. but not translated until December S. Till. said there was no sign of barrage balloon equipment at Hickman Field, Pearl Harbour, or other installations. The informant conlinued: “I imagine that in all probability there is considerable opportunity left to take advantage of a surprise attack against these places. My opinion is I hat the battleships do not have torpedo nets." Rear Admiral T. B. Inglis testified that no written record was available that any air searches were made from Pearl Harbour on December 6. Colonel Thielen tes.ified that the Army did not fly shore patrols on the morning ot the "attack.