GREAT TENSION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 6

GREAT TENSION

DEMANDS BY JAPAN CONCESSIONS TO THAILAND INDO-CHINA BITTERNESS I (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Fab. 28, 3.15 p.m.) SAIGON, Feb. 27 All Japanese army, naval, official, consular and civilian representatives today held an emergency conference at the Japanese Consulate to consider the orders received from Tokio to prepare for a possible withdrawal. Well-informed circles state that Indo-China’s attitude is stiffening, with a growing bitterness against Japan rather than Thailand, which is regarded as a puppet. The Government has prohibited exports of rubber except to Japan, this coinciding with an authoritative report that Japan is demanding over ■25,000 tons of rubber annually from Indo-China. It is pointed out that if Japan’s demands are met they will prevent Indo-China obtaining dollar currency, since the United States is the only rubber market left. They will also prevent Indo-China from paying for American oil. The Mayor of Saigon has appealed to all native French able-bodied men to join the civil defence corps as soon as possible. The President of the Cochin-China Colonial Council, writing in the newspaper Defeche, says: “The Japanese are not mediating but -dictating.” He urged the non-acceptance of Thailand’s demands. Only One Way Out Colonel Koike, chief of the Japanese mission to Indo-China, said: “There is only one way out. We must make Indo-China and Thailand agree. Thailand’s demands may look large from a glance at the map but actually I think it is quite proper that Thailand should obtain these territories.” Colonel Koike repeatedly reiterated that Japan does not want to fight Britain. He added that he had received reports from Hanoi that the United States is planning to assist IndoChina against Thailand. REPORTS FROM ROME PRINCESSES IN AMERICA? AGITATORS IN HOLLAND (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 28, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 27 The Rome radio professes to reveal that the battleship H.M.S. King George V, besides taking Lord Halifax, took to America Queen Mary anu Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. It states that the Crown Jewels were also taken. Berlin reports say that a Nazi spokesman admitted the possibility of British agitators landing in Holland by parachute and speedboat. It is claime dthat the effectiveness of these agents is limited and measures to suppress disorders in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are proving adequate. NO MORE DELAY JAPAN’S MEDIATION PLAN PEACE IN EAST ASIA (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) TOKIO, Feb. 26 The Nichi Nichi Shimbun said Japan would not reconsider the “ final ” mediation plan reported to have been submitted to Thailand on Monday. Japan was determined to make a settlement this week at the latest, because further delay ‘ might considerably set back the realising of a lasting peace in East Asia.” AMERICAN ARMY MORE MEN IN MARCH RECORD PEACE TIME STRENGTH (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 28, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 Mr H. L. Stimson, secretary for War, said that between 130,000 and 150,000 draftees will be called up in March. The army’s present strength is 951,000, which is a peace time record. Mr Stimson denied reports, which are said to have been circulated for ulterior motives, that thn army is buying 1,500,000 coffins. TRADE AGREEMENTS RUSSIA AND RUMANIA GERMANY AND ITALY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CCpyright) MOSCOW, Feb. 27 Russia and Rumania have concluded a trade, shipping and payments agreement. Rumania will deliver naptha and mineral oils for cotton and manganese. The turnover will be £2,000,000 in the first year. The demarcation of the RussoRumania frontier is virtually complete, and direct railway communication between Moscow and Bucharest is expected to open soon. LONDON, Feb. 26 The Berlin wireless says that after trade negotiations lasting several weeks Italy ai.d Germany have reached an agreement under which each will supply raw materials to the | other. Each also undertakes to increase imports from the other.