JAPAN’S AIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1938, Page 7

JAPAN’S AIMS

MUST ATTAIN OBJECTIVES IN CHINA. SETTLEMENT WITH RUSSIA AFTERWARDS. ’ TOKIO, August 3. The newspaper “Nichi Shimbu” says today that if the Soviet is not disposed to seek an amicable settlement Japan can wait for another occasion because she must first attain her objective in China. She will then settle the outstanding problems with Russia speedily and definitely. The Foreign Office estimates the opposing forces on the Soviet-Manchu-kuoan border as 1,000,000 Russian and 500,000 Japanese, comprising the flower of the Imperial army. Replying to Soviet denials of the air raids, the War Office that one of 21 bombers raiding Kinsoyjo on August 2 was brought down and identified. Another is also alleged to have, been brought down and identified during the raid on Keiko. The Russians today bombed a bridge near Seoul. M. Saburo Ohta, now on holiday here from the Japanese Embassy staff in Moscow, said that a majoi' clash was very unlikely, and that the Soviet had no aggressive intentions.

AN ERRONEOUS REPORT. (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) TOKIO, August 3. The air bombing of Seoul was mistakenly reported. Its Japanese name is Keijo, whereas only the small town of Keiko was bombed. RUSSIANS ANGERED. INSOLENCE OF JAPANESE MILITARISTS. MOSCOW, August 3. The latest communique states that the Japanese were shelled and bombed from the air as they advanced into Soviet territory. A crowded and indignant meeting today of artisans and soldiers from all over Russia passed a resolution pledging themselves to the defence of their sacred soil and promising to rebuff the “insolent Japanese militarists.” OPINION IN BERLIN. BERLIN, August 3. Opinion here generally is that the Soviet and Japan do not want war, and the chief interest is centred on whether Moscow’s policy is intended to help China pr bolster up her home position.