“WAR INEVITABLE"

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 7

“WAR INEVITABLE"

AMERICA AND JAPAN GHIKESE PAPER'S FORECAST UNITED STATES URGED TO STRIKE FIRST Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CHUNGKING, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.20 a.m.) Tbe influential newspaper, ‘ Ta Kung Pao,’ said: “ The United States should realise that a Japanese-American war is inevitable, for which reason the United States should strike first before Japan consolidates herself in IndoChina, forms a military alliance with Thailand, and makes a drive against the Burma road. The United States should declare a complete economic blockade of Japan, and immediately utilise Singapore and Australian naval and air bases, because in this lies the only hope possibly of averting war, or at least assuring a shorter war.” The ‘Ta Kung Pao added; ‘‘A Japanese-American war would be like a fight between a lion and a rabbit in view of American superiority. Such a war would result in the execution of international brigands.” THAILAND’S DEMANDS REJECTED BY IHDO-CHINA TENSION MOUNTING HANOI, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.30 a.m.) The Indo-China-Thailand tension mounted after Thailand’s representative, Major Chai Pradipasena, went to Bangkok last night after a conference with Mr Sumita, M. Decoux, and Mr Martin, at which Major Chai said M. Decoux rejected Thailand’s demands. VICKY'S PROPOSAL JOINT COMMISSION VICHY, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11.35 a.m.) The Government notified Thailand of its readiness to establish a FrenchSiamese commission to investigate the frontier incidents. PACT REPERCUSSIONS STATEMENT BY MR MATSUOKA TOKIO, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.20 a.m.) Mr Matsuoka (Foreign Minister) said it was impossible at present to state definitely Alliance repercussions, but Japan must make the necessary preparations in anticipaton of the worst to come. He added that the conclusion of the pact did not mean that Japan would immediately enter the war with any non-signatory nation, and emphasised that Japan was only “ too eager ” to maintain friendly relations with all nations which were willing to co-oper-ate. “ While past Russian-Japanese relations were far from satisfactory, he said, “ this is not the time for the two countries to be at loggerheads. They should co-operate for a higher objective. Nothing would please the rest of the world more than a RussianJapanese clash.” NO INTENTION OF PICKING QUARRELS TOKIO, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11.50 a.m.) Mr Matsuoka, addressing a guberuatorial conference, said. “Japan has no intention of picking a quarrel with any country. However, she must peremptorily reject all nations which attempt to disturb the peace of the Far East by prolonging tbe SinoJapanese conflict through assisting Chiang Kai-shek. If and when Chiang realises that the true intentions of the tripartite pact are to prevent the European war becoming a world conflagration, simultaneously building up a new world order,” he said. ” I am sure he will realise the wisdom of co-operat-ing with Japan in the construction of a greater East Asia instead of prolonging the killing of innocent Chinese people by playing the role of the front lino for European and American capitalism.” Prince Konoye, addressing the conference, reiterated that the objectives of the tripartite pact were peaceful, but added that Japan should “ perpetually be prepared to meet the worst situation which may unfortunately arise.” READJUSTMENT OF RELATIONS JAPAN'S UHOONCILIATORY TONE TOKIO, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11.30 a.m.) Asked if any concrete outline of a basis for the readjustment of relations between Japan and the United States had been established in Tokio or Washington. Mr Smna replied: “There is no room for a basis of readjustment in the current situation, especially since the United States insists • upon the solution of all pending questions first.”