BURMA ROAD

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

BURMA ROAD

REOPENING BY BRITAIN JAPANESE PROTEST FORECAST “ REGARDED AS A CHALLENGE’ 1 TOKIO, October 8. (Received October 9, at 1 p.ra.) Sir Robert Craigie informed Mtf Matsuoka of the non-renewal of tha Burma agreement. Japan’s protest against the opening* of the Burma road can be expected ua the grounds that it is contrary to tha spirit of the three months’ which is said to have included a tacit understanding on the possibility of extension of the closure. Japan is also likely to claim violation of the letter and spirit of the Arita-Craigie agreement last year, whereby Britain recognised the special position and needs of Japan regarding China and disclaimed any intention to aid or abet Japan’s enemies. The Japanese believe that the British notification does not affect the British ban on the transportation of military and other supplies to China via Hongkong. All the indications are , that Anglo-Japanese relations will be very acute, inasmuch as the British decision was taken after. Japan’s • conclusion of the tripartite alliance. also the Japanese Government’s statement regarding its determination to reject all nations assisting uniag Kai-snek. consequently the British action will be regarded as a challenge to Japan. The British decision to reopen the Burma road is ascribed by the ‘ J apan Times ’ to a desire to “ save face ” m China and support Chungking as tha oalv force resisting Japan, together with the United States. The decision is stated to be an unmistakable indication of Britain taking with the United States a common front against Japan. AMERICAN MARINES TO REMAIN IN CHINA (By Radio.) DAVENTRY. October 9. ■President Roosevelt stated at a Press conference that American marines, contrary to reports, were not to be withdrawn from China. MINISTER TO JAPAN SIR JOHN LATHAM’S DEPARTURE POSTPONED MELBOURNE, October 9. (Received October 9. at 9.15 a.m.) Mr Menzies announced that owing to the political situation in Australia Sip John Latham’s departure for Japan baa been postponed to November, though some members of his staff were leaving immediately for Tokio. IRAQ COTTON CROP PURCHASED BY JAPAN BAGDAD, October 7. It is officially announced that Iraq' has concluded ah agreement under which Mr Mitsubishi will purchase fop Japan the entire cotton crop, in addition to the unsold balance of last year’* crop, at the equivalent of 9d a lb. EMPIRE WAR EFFORT THE DELHI COHFEREHGE AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES ANNOUNCED MELBOURNE. October 9. (Received October 9, at 9.15 a.m.) Mr Menzies announced the personnel of the Australian delegation to .tha Delhi conference as follows Sir Walter Massy Greene (leader). Mr K. S* Brodribb, assistant director of general munitions supply; Mr Thomas Donaldson. director of explosives supply: Mp A. S. V, Smith, in charge of the equipment section of the Defence Depart* ment; Mr J. L. Knott, secretary. Mr H, R. Gollan. Australian Trade Commissioner in India, will join the delegation at Delhi. FREE FRENCHMEN MOVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE. October 9. (Received October 9. at 9.15 a.m.) Commenting on the announcement from the London headquarters of tha Free France movement that national committees were being set up in foreign countries, Mr M’Ewen, Minister of Extern all Affairs, said the Australian t French Committee at Perth had tha overwhelming support of the French people in Australia. The committee’s objectives were to keep before tha French the supreme importance of France’s liberation and to provide funds for the purchase of armaments. Mp M'Ewen said the Australian French leaders had offered to raise volunteers to fight for the Allied cause. LEGION OF HONOUR CROSS RESTORED TO KING LEOPOLD VICHY, October 7. Marshal Petain restored to Kina Leopold tbe Grand Cross of the Lcginr of Honour, from which he was ex police by M. Reynaud.