NEW TONE IN JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1939, Page 7

NEW TONE IN JAPAN

SITUATION RADICALLY CHANGED HOPES THAT BRITAIN WILL CO-OPERATE SOVIET-GERMAN PACT REACTIONS. NECESSARY TO START AGAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SHANGHAI. August 25. The cluingeil .Japanese alt i1 mle Io Britain. shown I he lasi few days, is strikingly refleeleil in lhe .Japanese army’s newspaper. “ Sinshunpao. ” which saxs in a leader that it hopes England will co-operate wit h -Japan, “since ihe situation is now radically changed.’’ ■

The pact has resulted in violent .reactions in the Japanese Press, according to a Tokio message. Germany is denounced for, betrayal. It is admitted that the signature of the pact proves that the Anti-Comintern Pact never was even a spiritual accord. The "Hochi Shimbun” declares that the viper-catcher has been stung by the viper and that Japan's great danger and indignation must be borne in silence.

The “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” says: “Italy may follow German and advise Japan to trail behind, but the Soviet Government and the Comintern are the same, although differently named; Why waste time quibbling? Let us return to Japan's policy of autonomy and independence.” ’ The "Asahi Shimbun" says tha* Japan must start again with a clean sheet.

Admiral Kanazawa, spokesman for the navy, refrained from definite comment till the international situation cleared. He said that, speaking personally, he welcomed the Soviet-Ger-man pact, which was causing the nations to realise the futility of reliance on others. The Japanese objective in Eastern Asia could be best served through independence and self-reli-ance, which was the navy's unchanged and traditional policy. It did not antagonise other Powers or prevent their co-operation. FOOD RIOTS THE JAPANESE BLOCKADE POLICY. HOLD-UP IN INTENDED ACTION. LONDON, August 25. Reuter’s Shanghai correspondent says an acute rice shortage caused further riots. It is believed the Japanese intended to hold all foreign areas to ransom by a food blockade, but postponed the move because of the German-Soviet agreement. The idea of new blockades on the lines of Tientsin is now scouted. The Associated Press of Great Britain. in a message from Shanghai, says it is' estimated that 6.000 Japanese have landed in the Shanghai area. The nature of the intended action is not disclosed. The occupation of the International Settlement is suggested, but Japan has stayed her hand because of a dilemma as to where she stands under the Russo-German Agreement. All leave of British troops has been cancelled. Riots occurred because of the high cost of rice resulting from the currencycollapse. Many persons were arrested. It is reported from Shungking that Russia is massing troops on the Manchukuo border. DEMAND DROPPED ALLIANCE WITH AXIS POWERS. ANTI-COMINTERN PACT DEAD DEAD. TOKIO. August 25. Japan's anger against Germany is increasing. The army’s demand for tne conversion of the Anti-Comintern Pae into a military alliance has ceased, and on the contrary, the newspapers agree that the Anti-Comintern Pact is dead. An official spokesman in Tokio said that prominent Japanese who have been invited to the Nuremburg congress will now attend in a private capacity and not as representatives of the Government. He added that the return to Tokio of the British Ambassador. Sir Robert Craigie from his holiday has re-opened the way for the Tientsin negotiations, but that Japans attitude is unchanged. The newspaper “Kukomin declares. “Italv and Germany are no longer Japan's allies." The other papers agree that the signing of the Russian Pact does not admit of any excuse. REPORTED RUSSIAN OFFER. BERLIN, August 25. An unconfirmed report has been received that Japan has protested strongly to Germany over the signing of the non-aggression pact. ... ~ . The "Kokumtn Shimbun states that Russia has offered to arrange a settlement of the Manchukuo-Mongol border quarrel, and also the Soviet Embassy has sugested a Russo-Japanese non-ag-gression pact to the Japanese Foreign Office.