CRISIS LOOMING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 252, 21 September 1940, Page 8

CRISIS LOOMING

AMERICA AND JAPAN

INDO-CHINA SITUATION,

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.48 a.m.| SHANGHAI, Sept. 20

Authoritative reports from Tokio state that Japan is prepared for a major crisis in Japanese-American relations over Indo-China.

The Japanese are confident that Indo-China at the last minute will accept an ultimatum. However, in view of the recent statement by the American Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) they anticipate that American retaliation will probably be stiff embargoes. It is believed in Tokio that an imperial conference has irrevocably decided on an immediate push southward, including the Dutch East Indies. Then an attempt will be made to force the United States to lift the embargoes in return for the Indies’ tin and rubber. The Japanese believe, in view of M. Baudouin’a revelation of the United States’s failure to promise definite support to Indo China, that the French will probably announce on Sunday acceptance of the Japanese demands. The main Japanese objective is the naval bases from which they will almost immediately strike at the East Indies before the American embargoes could be effective.

In a . recent statement Mr Cordell Hull announced that America desired the maintenance of tne status quo in IndoChina.

FRENCH WARSHIPS

VICHY. Sept. 20

The French warships which passed recently through the Straits of Gibraltar have reached Dakar (French West Africa). They are not bound for TndoChina, but arc remaining at Dakar.