WAR OR PEACE IN THE PACIFIC?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 7

WAR OR PEACE IN THE PACIFIC?

TRUCULENT JAPAN ipABNING TO AMERICA MINISTER’S STRONG RETORT • , (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' LONDON, Oct. 5. (Received Oct. 6, at 9.5 p.m.) - A Tokio message states that the Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, in an interview at Kyoto, said the question of war or peace in the Pacific depended on “whether the United States and Japan can respect and understand each other’s positions.” Prince Konoye added that the alliance with the Axis was based on such mutual recognition, and the United States could have the same as a quid pro quo, but no overtures to America were planned in this regard. “ Should the United States refuse and persist in regarding the alliance as a hostile act, there will be no other than war.” Prince Konoye said. Prince Konoye earlier stated that, should the United States challenge Germany Italy and Japan, “we are ready to accept the . challenge and fight to a finish.” He added that Japan was prepared to adjust relations with the United States as well as the Soviet. “ The Pacific Ocean’s destiny.” Prince Konoye added. “ depends cn the degree of mutual respect and understanding of each other’s position The United States should understand Japan’s true intentions and collaborate in estblishing a new order in East Asia. I believe the United States should reflect on the attitude she has been taking against Japan and obtain a fuller realisation of the existing situation.. Should the United States recognise the leadership of Japan, Germany and Italy respectively in East Asia and Europe, they will logically recognise the United States’ leadership in the American continents The adjustment of political and economic , relations with the. Soviet will be continued, but this does not signify that Japan will accept Communism.” He added that the negotiations between Japan and the East Indies , were progressing smoothly, and fairly satisfactory results could be expected A Washington message states that the Secretary for the Navy, Colonel Knox, said the Japanese-German-ltalian alliance was the most serious challenge to the American mode of life in history. The alliance was directed against the United States, which was the largest obstacle in the totalitarians’ oath should Britain fail to stem the tide of tyranny. ~ “ International brigands,” Colonel Knox added, “surround the United States, whose destruction would be their greatest victory. Never understanding us. they suppose our people can be brought under their iron rule. Both as an American and. as a navy official, I know differently; If a fight is forced upon us we will be ready. We have never lost a ■ r/war.yeti” ;..’:7 f-i ;i-.v The acquisition’of bases from Britain had moved the Atlantic war theatre one thousand miles eastward; Colonel Knox declared. Hundreds, even thousands, of saboteurs were in the United States. Every shipyard, factory, arsenal and powder-plant must be guarded, he said. ■ __ . j ■

: -that: the 'Japanese Minister of For--2 -eign" Affairs; Mr' Yosuke Matsuoka, L said: “ Japan will be compelled to " fight'the United ‘ States if America enters the ■ European war or insists on the preservation of the status quo in the Pacific. 1 fling this challenge to America: If she blindly and stubbornly sticks to the Pacific status - quo we will fight for it. Frankly the Japan-Axis Pact is intended to prevent, the involvement of the United States in the European war. We. all", fear it' would then develop into a - 'vital and disastrous conflict which we wish to avoid. This pact is an eloquent expression of Japan’s wishes, but it is a peace pact, and Americans must understand it as such.” In America’s Hands Mr Matsuoka added that Japan could not longer be strangled in its desire to establish a new order of mutual prosperity in East Asia. He declared that England and America forced the Axis into the use of force in Europe. ‘ Whethei or not the European wai becomes a world war 1 is purely in the hands of the United States Americans must see clearly , the spirit of the Tripartite Pact, which is candidly aimed at them. Japan will welcome frank and rapid diplomatic exchanges with full . understanding, but if the United States continues measures such as tightening the embargo she will onlv further anger Japan ” The Foreign Office spokesman. Mi K. Suma. denied that Mr Matsuoka made the statement as reported He alleged the report was a garbled version of an interview Mr Matsuoka gave to a contributor to the Liberty Magazine •

AMERICANS LEAVING BOOKINGS FROM SHANGHAI HEAVY RESERVATIONS .Vi.;', SHANGHAI, Oct. 5, . (Received Oct. 6, at 9 p.m.) Although ho official general order has been issued, Americans , who approached their authorities for guidance have been recommended to evacuate their women and children without delay. The regular commercial means of communication to America have been booked to capacity for two months ahead as a result of the sudden rush to evacuate women and children during the last few days

THAILAND'S DEMANDS CONFUSED SITUATION INDO-CHINA’S ATTITUDE TOKIO, Oct. 5 (Received Oct. 6, at 8.10 p.m.) The Domei Agency’s Bangkok correspondent says the relations between Thailand and Indo-China are at a “ dangerous point.” Both were steadily concentrating troop? in border areas. The correspondent furthei states that the Premier of Thailand Mr Luang Bipul Songgram. has declared that he is determined to pursue the quest for the disputed regions in Indo-China but that he has no intention, of resorting to arms.

Admission of Axis Failure Mr Masanon Ito Shighzy, a reputed naval expert, writing in the magazine Nippon Hyoron. said the outcome of the Anglo-German war was difficult to predict, which is significant comment. Virtually all the Japanese commentators have been predicting a German victory He said that while Germany had demonstrated aerial superiority the complete domination of Britain in the air was “ not so easy to accom plish.” Also it would be a mistake to assume that air domination would enable the transportation of large military units across the Channel because qjr mastprv was nnlv tern pnrary Mr Shighzy said the German navy was too inferior to attempt a troop invasion of Britain and thus the Germans were likely to adopt lone term tactics of blockade and constant offensives aimed at British morale TW OHIUWNES TWO FOREIGN CONSULS WARNED MANILA. Oct. i The Governor-General, M. Sayre, revealed that he had warned two foreign consuls against disseminating propaganda in the Philippines M. Sayre declined to name the consuls.

Groups ot 20 to 40 Thailand planes flew over the frontier of Indo-China. and the Thailand frontier forces have been reinforced These demonstrations are not regarded seriously, and are probably intended to support Thailand’s territorial claims, to which France replied that she did not intend to discuss the revision of the frontier but was prepared to give Thailand access to the deep waters of the Mekong Tire Domei Agency’s Tokio correspondent says the Indo-China antiaircraft defences fired at Thailand planes reconnoitring the border Thailand has sent 50 planes to the border, while the French are concentrating war material Both countries are evacuating civilians from the borders. A message from Bangkok says the French community there sent a message to Vichy appealing for it to vield to Thailand’s request for territorial readjustments in Indo-China. which were under consideration long before France was involved in the present difficulties. The vernacular press gives prominence to a report that the Acting Minister in Ottawa Mr Akira Matsui. informed the Foreign Office that the Vancouver Municipal Assembly, for the purpose of oppressing Japanese residents decided to close the Japanese elementary schools and deport Japanese who violated Canadian laws and also those considered to have illegally entered the country, and to prohibit the entry of new Japanese immigrants.