JAPAN’S BLUNDER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 260, 1 October 1940, Page 7

JAPAN’S BLUNDER.

INTERPRETATION OF PACT.

END TO APPEASEMENT

LONDON, Sept. 30. Political commentators and diplomatic circles consider that Japan blundered when she signed the new pact with Germany and Italy, thereby committing herself as the supporter* of, and sympathiser with, the desperado aggressor Powers who have been doing their utmost to divert America’s attention from Europe by creating such a threat in the Ear East as Japan’s signature carries. ; Generally hope is expressed that the policy of appeasement hitherto adopted towards Japan will speedily., be buried. It is recognised, however, that before this can be done much will; depend on the intentions and actions of the United States, with whom the British Government is working with ever-increasing accord. . Authoritative circles in London will not be surprised if very soon decisions are reached in Washington regarding the future use of Singapore, decisions which it is believed the American Naval Command would favour.

The foothold which Japan has gained in Indo-China is regarded as having challenging implications—having in her hands ports and aerodromes which she can busily stock with ships and aeroplanes in preparation for a sea and air offensive.

Moreover, she has a great prize in Toughing Bay, lying athwart the British sea line of communications and enabling her to concentrate on Thailand, which overhangs Singapore from the north.

A Chungking message says the belief that Britain will soon reopen the Burma Road to the passage of arms is expressed by Dr Soong Wen-hao (Chinese Minister of Economic Affaii's). He said Britain must have realised that appeasement cannot change Japan’s hostile attitude, as has been proved by the alliance. >’ The leading daily, Takung Pao, says the latest action by Japan releases Britain from whatever treaty obligations she might have to Japan. PACT “DEFENSIVE.” The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Suma) said that, notwithstanding the tripartite, agreement, Japan would make an effort diplomatically to settle the Jajiaiiese-American questions. Ho reiterated that the pact was defensive and was not intended to provoke an attack on other Powers. Asked if German warships entering the Pacific would be accorded special facilities, he replied that that was not stipulated in the treaty. Mr Suma was asked if a declaration of war was necessary regarding the mutual assistance clause in the/ pact. He replied that the signatories would decide when “war is involved.” ■ In reply to a question as to whether Japan was making an effort v toward a non-aggression agreement with the Soviet Union, he answered, “That is too delicate a matter to take up.” The Kokuinin Sliimbun says the elder statesmen have advised Prince Konoye to convoke an extraordinary Diet “in order to demonstrate to the world that Japan’s 100,000,0(50 subjects are unified behind-, the’Japanese-Gerniari-Italian Alliance.” The paper added that the Government was,,starting soon a national movement to perfect defence.

It is announced from Singapore that units of the Boyal Australian Air Force equipped with modern fighter and bomber planes are now stationed in Malaya to form an important part of the Malayan Air Force. It is stated that as a result of these “powerful reinforcements” the defences of Malaya have been greatly strengthened. This is the first time that Australian forces have been stationed at Malaya. V,..

TROUBLE AT. IiONGKEW. A Shanghai message ;says virtual martial law lias been proclaimed in Hongkew, the Japanese-occupied portion of the International Settlement, following an attempt by a Chinese gunman to assassinate (a, Japanese military officer, ,who is reported to have been seriously injured when shot. The Japanese have increased their military street patrols 1 in Hongkew and’intensified the searching of all ingoing and outgoing jiersons.

A later message says the Japanese have blocked all the exits to the controlledarea north, of Soochow Creek leading' to national Settlement. They have not permitted any Chinese to' cross the bridges % since alter a Japanese, believed to be an army officer, was shot, north of. the Szechwan Road, the-,, main thoroughfare to Hongkew. Trdops have cordoned a huge’area and are copducting house to-house searches,, creating panic among the Chinese due to the fear of possible reprisals; y. | * It is reliably stated that another Japanese, believed to be a naval commander, was’ fatally shot in another section of Japanese-controlled Hongkew. ,

Mr Butrick (United States Consul in Shanghai) has conferred with Admiral Hart and Colonel Peck aboard the criiiser Augusta. It is learned that the United States Navy has issued orders forbidding American naval men’s families to proceed to the Orient from the United.States', although they are not yet evacuating the families now here. ' f

It is authoritatively stated- that Admiral T-Tart has protested to ViceAdmiral Hantaro Shimada against the action of Japanese gendarmes who on September 29 seized an American sailor for allegedly being intoxicated and dragged him to a "gendarme office where lie was beaten before being released. If is relinblv stated that the gendarmes manhandled him in an effort to obtain the location of certain United States warships.