PACIFIC COUNCIL IN GOOD SPIRITS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 118, 21 May 1942, Page 7

PACIFIC COUNCIL IN GOOD SPIRITS

MR. NASH SPOKESMAN

"Japan For Japanese" Is War Slogan

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1 p.m. WASHINGTON, May 20

After the meeting of the Pacific War Council to-day members came away in exceptionally good spirits. The New Zealand representative, Mr. Nash, who acted as spokesman to the Press, said the members had adopted the slogan "Japan for the Japanese."

Asked what this meant, he told the Press to make its own interpretation. The reporters then suggested that it meant to push the Japanese back into their own islands and keep them there. Members of the council did not comment on this, but pressmen gained the impression that there was unanimous and earnest agreement on such a desirable objective. Mr. Nash said the meeting was the most interesting yet held. They had outlined and examined a general picture which Mr. Nash described as "not bad," but said: "We have still a long way to go." At this point Viscount Halifax, British Ambassador, interposed: "We are building up." Mr. Nash said President Roosevelt described the details of BrigadierGeneral Doolittle's magnificent exploit in bombing Tokyo, which was most thrilling. Mr. Nash said: "We will have to think up another of that type."

Dr. Soong. the Chinese representative, said they wished the slogan "Japan for the Japanese" to be disseminated for general circulation and comment, from which a synthesis of ideas could be drawn up, and as to where they should go from there, but he did not explain his parable. Asked about China and the Chinese appeal for help Dr. Soong replied that personally he had not received any appeals and had not seen any except in the Press, but he said: "It does appear that Japan is attacking China from several new points, for instance, firstly, in the Chekiang Province on the coast, secondly, by massing men and planes at Hankow, and thirdly, in the frontier fighting in the Yunnan Province where the conflict at present is favourable to China."

Dr. Soong said: It looks as if Japan is going to make a very serious effort to defeat China this summer." Asked if this grave threat to China was discussed at the council, he replied in the negative, but explained that a joint General Staff was considering the China situation all the time.

Asked if China was satisfied with the help the United States have furnished so far, Dr. Soong replied: "China will never be satisfied until full victory is won."

Reporters deduced from the way that questions were dodged that Mr. Roosevelt was the author of the slogan, "Japan for the Japanese."