THREATENING TONE

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 7

THREATENING TONE

ARMY AND PRESS VIEWS Rec. 6.30 p.m. Shanghai. Sept. 28. The Japanese Army's publication Tairiku Shimpu s.—s the alliance was a factual reply to America's lcan to the Chungking Government and to the scrap iron embargo. Should any one of the three signatories be challenged the challenger will be dealt with by force. If the United States gives further aid to China it will be considered a challenge and the alliance will become effective, the journal adds. A deflant threat was launched by the Japanese extremist newspaper Kokumin Shimbun in an outburst against Britam and America occasioned by America's loan to China and the embargo on scrap metal. says a Tokio message. The paper said: "If the British and Americans continued their unprovoked anti- Japanese stand they will get a telling blow." Under the heading. "Fight for Supremacy in the Pacific." the newspaper Miyako Shimbun says: "Indo-China is only a minor angle. A major struggle is now developing between America and Japan in which Britain is apparently participating." The comparatively consexwative Asahi Shimbun declares: "It now seerns inevitable that a clash will occur between Japan and the United States. We rather welcome the United States decision to act in a decisive manner instead of persecuting Japan by slow means." The Japan Timen says that' as one of the pact's imrnediate effects, "any hostile action against Japan in the Pacific by the United States or any other Power will be met by joint hostile action by Japan. Italy and Germany. This might give America to pause particularly. The whole treaty might cause American people to sit back and take stock of the State Department. which has so bungled international affairs that it has made an enemy of Japan. involved Britain in new difficulties. done no good to the United States and brought war perilously close to the Pacific Ocean." Tokio's vernacular press hails the pact with delight. "Although it does not mean Japan's entry into the European war, it has certainly increased Japan's rcsponsibility in coping with the prevailing world situation." says the Asahi Shimbun. The Nichi Nichi Shimbun says: "Notwit.hstanding Britain's efforts, thc United States' participation in the wrr remains a big question mark." The Yomiuri expressed doubt whether the United States now has confidence to cnter the European war, being confronted with a new situation in both Ihe Pacific' and thc Atlantic.