SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED

Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 7

SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED

AMERICANS ADVISED TO EVACUATE BRITAIN TO REOPEN BURMA ROAD Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, October S. (Received October 9, at 9 a.m.) The American State Department has instructed Far Eastern Consulates to advise all Americans to evacuate the Japanese Empire, including Korea, and Manehukuo, China, and Hongkong as soon as possible. The State Department in Washington confirmed the Far Eastern evacuation advice, and said American Consuls in Japan and China and other parts of the Orient were notified to suggest to American citizens the advisability of utilising the transportation facilities now available. This w-as a continuation of the precautionary policy regarding the safety of American citizens in various parts of the world. Instructions have been issued to Consuls in Japan, China, Indo-China, Hongkong,' Manehukuo, Kwantung, and leased territory in Korea and Formosa. Consuls will point out that transport facilities might be limited in future. SAFETY MEASURE DUE TG UNCERTAIN CONDITIONS SHANGHAI, October S. (Received October 9, at 10 a.m.) The local consulate has not yet advised Americans to evacuate. However, it is understood that it is issuing a circular within a few hours. The State Department’s message said the instructions should not be interpreted sensationally. The instructions emphasised that evacuation was advisable in view of the uncertain conditions throughout the Orient and definitely advised Americans to return to the United States instead of Manila, to which many were evacuated in the previous China emergencies. It is estimated that 9,000 whit© Americans and 2,000 Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino Americans are resident in the areas involved. It is understood that some American ships are being diverted to China for the purpose of facilitating evacuation. The instructions said American women, children, and non-essential men should particularly be advised to evacuate as soon as possible. It is understood that Admiral Hart is ordering navy wives to return to the United States as soon as possible. BRITISH AMBASSADOR CANCELS LONDON VISIT WASHINGTON, October 8. (Received October 9, at 10.30,a.in.) Lord Lothian announced that he has cancelled bis plan to fly to Loudon because the British Foreign Office “ thinks there may he a general crisis in the Far East, and told me I had better stay on the job.” This announcement was made after a conference with President Roosevelt. THE JAPANESE VIEW NOTHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT " SHANGHAI, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.5 a.m.) Domei Agency reports from the Tokio Foreign Office said if the American evacuation rejibrts are true ‘‘they are nothing to be excited about, since the United States customarily acts with caution for the protection of nationals abroad.” NOTHING WILL STOP US " ANGLO-AMERICAN HOSTILITY PREPOSTEROUS TOKIO, October 7. The ‘ Asahi Shimhun,' praising Mr Matsuoka’s speech to the Governors, in an editorial said; “ Japan will not permit British or United States opposition to defeat her aim We have only to push forward, determined nothing will stop us. British and United States hostility is preposterous and incomprehensible.” RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE AMERICA ANXIOUS TO KNOW WASHINGTON, October 8. Mr Sumner Welles conferred with the Russian Ambassador, M. Oumansky, after a lapse of several weeks, presumably with regard to the Far East. A diplomatic official said that the meeting indicated that American officials were anxious to determine Russia’s fundamental attitude towards the tripartite pact. He said that, should Russia be willing to join the United States in a “ stop Japan ” front, a new aspect might be given to the world diplomatic situation. He pointed out. however, that there was; not yet positive evidence of the removal of numerous elemental obstacles to Ilussiau-Aniorican accord.