WARNING BY TOJO

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22151, 24 September 1943, Page 5

WARNING BY TOJO

JAPAN’S GRAVE POSITION LONDON, Sept. 23 Japan’s general position is grave, according to a warning given by the Prime Minister, Tojo, who said the British and Americans were attempting, regardless of their own high losses, 10 force the Japanese Empire to its knees by fresh offensives. Heavy battles are progressing and others are expected, said Tojo. All classes of the Japanese people must realise the seriousness of the position, both at heme and abroad, and the difficulties of their tasks. The nation’s whole strength must be concentrated on production of armaments, especially aircraft. The mobilisation of the nation’s manpower must be completed, the employment of women extended, and taxation increased. Japan, with Manchukuo, must be made independent of imported food supplies. Plans must also be worked out immediately for the strengthening of the defence of the Japanese Motherland. All administrative measures not essential for war production at this decisive stage must be eliminated. The Saturday half-holiday is abolished and Government offices will work on Sundays and weekdays, all day and all night. The air defences, particularly in the industrial zones, Tojo continued, must be expanded, and preparation; made for transferring Governmen 1 buildings and industries and shifting sections of the population from Tokio elsewhere in the interests oi national defence. Encouragement to Allies The Times describes the statement made by Tojo as a confession of the heavj' and increasing strain put upon Japanese resources by struggle to maintain the sea cbmmunications between Japan and tiie far distant countries which the Japanese fleets and armies seized last year. That the Prime Minister of such an organised and militarist people should have admitted that, failing a great national effort, the country is in danger of defeat is highly encouraging for the Allies whose sea power, as Mr Churchill said, is stronger new than at any previous period in the war and grows stronger daily, the paper adds.

The commander of the Eleventh United States Air Force in Alaska, General Johnson, said today that Tokio is now within reach of Allied bombers based on the Aleutians.