MILITANT JAPAN

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21590, 28 November 1941, Page 6

MILITANT JAPAN

/MASSING OF THRpOPS MENACE TO THAILAND NAVY READY FOR ACTION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 28, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 Authoritative sources fear that Japan’s answer to the American terms will he an attack against Thailand within a few days, says the United Press. Reports reaching Washington state that the Japanese are massing troops in north and south Indo-China, apparently for offensives against Thailand and the Burma Road. Large numbers I of troops and guns have been landed in Saigon in the last five ! days. The Japanese have purchased boats up and clown the coast. The Japanese Navy appears to be 1 ready for action. 1 The Domei Agency says the terms | handed to the Japanese envoys offer ! little hope of bridging the gap in j Japanese-American problems and I there is little room for prolonging ! the conversations. ! The Bangkok radio for the second : night in succession stressed Thai- ! land’s danger and the tense situa--1 tion in the Pacific, and urged preparedness and the avoidance of squabbles, as it feared that a minor incident might easily develop a large-scale conflagration. The Nanking correspondent of the Domei Agency says that Wang-Cbing-Wci, head of the puppet Government, speaking at the anniversary of the Japanese recognition cf his regime, pledged whole-hearted collaboration with Japan, regardless of international developments. American Note When the talks were resumed in Washington last night the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, handed a Note to the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, and the special Japanese envoy, Mr Kurusu. The State Department spokesman said the document was based on the principles previously enunciated by the Administration. Neither Mr Hull nor the Japanese representatives had any statement to make after the meeting, which lasted 75 minutes, but all three were smiling when they left the conference room. Mr Roosevelt also had a conference yesterday with the Chinese Ambassador, the president of the Bank, of China, and the supervisor of lease-lend aid to China. According to one source, well-in-l'ormed circles in Washington believe that the United States has presented Japan with a blunt statement of policy, which will in effect end all conciliation. The terms, it is believed, incli/ie a request for Japan to withdraw from Cnina and to refuse support for the Nanking puppet regime. The United Press correspondent in Washington says authoritative circles state that the Unite States favours a three-months’ breathing space in American-Japanese relations to allow of further time to discuss mutual problems. Economic Blockade

Such a temporary agreement would provide for limited relaxation of the economic blockade against Japan, provided Japan were willing to pledge herself to make no further aggressive moves, either southward or against Russia. Japan would also be required to rearrange her troop dispositions, so that she could not threaten the Burma Road, for the duration of the agreement.

The Japanese envoys last week asked for a fuller restoration of trading facilities, and offered fewer guarantees than the United States now asks, continues this correspondent. The proposed temporary agreement is understood to include provision for carrying on discussions aimed at a more permanent adjustment.

The Associated Press correspondent describes the document handed to Mr Kurusu as a “blueprint for peace in the Pacific, based on the doctrine of non-aggression which Mr Hull has preached for years.” He says its reception is regarded as uncertain.

It is understood, says this correspondent, that the United States offered Japan a formula based on Mr Hull’s 1937 declaration of principles: (1) The maintenance of peace. (2) Abstinence from the use of force and interference in the affairs of other nations. (3) The adjustment of international problems by peaceful negotiation and agreement. Basic Policy in Pacific

Discussing rumours which claim that the document leads to high hopes of a settlement, and, on the other hand, that Chinese opposition to the proposed agreement threatens to wreck the negotiations, a high diplomatic informant told the Australian Associated Press that Mr Hull presented the Japanese with a statement pf basic policy in the Pacific, rather than with a series of specific proposals.

j The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says the docu- | ment marks the completion of the ■ first phase of the negotiations and | leaves everything depending on the Japanese attitude. China's view differs from that of the other A.B.C.D. Powers in so far as she does not want concessions made to Japan.

The Herald-Tribune's correspondent says Mr Hull’s document is a surprise and has aroused the impression that Mr Hull is attempting to carry out his original intention to seek a complete, general settlement in the Pacific.