JAPAN-RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 20 November 1939, Page 7

JAPAN-RUSSIA

TALK OF TREATY CAMPAIGN SUSPECTED EFFORTS BY TOKIO INFLUENCE IN CHINA AMERICA AND BRITAIN (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 20, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 17. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times states that nothing authoritative confirms the .impression that the United States is contemplating protecting her interests in the Far East.

The belief that President Roosevelt will encourage Congress to impose an economic embargo on Japan is at present unwarranted.

It is doubted whether the attitude of the United States as a result of the intensification of Japan’s campaign in China,- will force Japan into the arms of Russia. l lt is realised that Russia and Japan may reach an economic understanding, but an alliance is not expected. '

The Shanghai correspondent of the New York Herald-Tribune states that Admiral Thomas Hart, commander of the recently strengthened United States Asiatic Fleet and Mr. Clarence Gauss, American Consul-General at Shanghai, are sailing for Manila next Tuesday aboard the flagship Augusta to confer with Mr. Francis Sayre, the United States High Commissioner in the Philippines, on American interests and policies in the Far East. Mr. Nelson Johnson, American Ambassador in China, may arrive in time to participate. Philippines Problem The conference is arousing widespread interest in China and Japan. Admiral Hart may spend a month inspecting the Philippines in view of the special problems that have developed as a consequence of the EuropeafT war. The Domei Agency in Tokio states that powerful elements are urging the Government of Japan to conclude a non-aggression treaty with Russia regardless of British and American displeasure.

Because of the potential dangers oi the Russian-Japanese situation, this requires immediate adjustment, while British-American-Japanese relations are at present of secondary importance. The Domei agency adds that the talks between Admiral Nomura and M. Smetanin are designed to effect a fundamental readjustment in relations.

The Tokio correspondent of the United Press of America believes the Domei agency’s statement is part of the campaign to impress Britain and America with the necessity for a reasonable attitude towards Japan’s aspiratibns and to harden Japanese nerves for strained American-Japan-ese relations which are foreseen if the American-Japanese treaty' is not replaced.