“GREATER EAST ASIA”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 5

“GREATER EAST ASIA”

MEANING OF JAPANESE PHRASE REFUSAL OF A FULL ELUCIDATION RATHER CLOUDY TALK. RETICENCE AS TO PHILIPPINES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) TOKIO, August 2. The spokesman of the Foreign Office, Mr Smna, when questioned regarding the meaning of a “greater East Asia” in the Foreign Minister’s statement yesterday of Japan’s national policy, replied: “1 can definitely say it includes the South Seas areas. However, concerning an enumeration of the districts to he included in that expression 1 cannot say at present.” Asked if the Philippine Islands were included in the “South Seas,” Mr Suma replied: “I must postpone an enumeration of the areas till a later date.” Further questioned, he replied: “The Dutch East Indies do not comprise all the South Seas areas. There are other regions.” The statement of the foreign policy of the new Government, which was issued from Tokio on Thursday, stated that the immediate aim was to establish “a great East Asian chain of common prosperity, with the Japan-Manchukup-China group as one of its links.” The statement added that the foreign policy, which aimed ultimately at the construction of the new order in greater East Asia, would be directed primarily toward a complete settlement of the China affair and advancement of Japan’s national fortune “by taking a far-sighted view of the drastic changes in the international situation and formulating constructive, flexible measures.” After issuing the formal statement, the Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, said Japan’s final aim was “the establishment of a stability zone embracing Japan, Manchukuo, China and also French Indo-China, and the Netherlands East Indies. BRITAIN & JAPAN WILD TALK BY TOKIO NEWSPAPER. EMBASSY AS A “HOTBED OF ESPIONAGE.” TOKIO, August 2. The “Asahi Shimbun” says the Japanese gendarmerie authorities are indignant over the “fabricated versions” given by British Embassy officials of the case of the journalist, the late James Melville Cox. It says the Embassy is open to suspicion that it is a hotbed of British espionage in Japan. The “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” says it is doubted whether the British will easily enforce the reported retaliatory threats such as the arrest of Japanese residents in England, abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, withdrawal of the Ambassador from Tokio, or reopening the Burma Road, because of the present international situation. PEARL RIVER DEADLOCK IN NEGOTIATIONS. BRITISH STEAMER DETAINED. LONDON, August 1. A Hong Kong message says it is authoritatively stated that a Butterfield and Swire steamer'has been detained at Canton as a result of a deadlock in the negotiations between Britain and Japan for the reopening of the Pearl River. The Japanese demand the right to station inspectors along the Hong Kong border, across which they claim supplies are still passing to China. It is reported from Shanghai that a Russian member of the French Concession police, who was armed with a “Tommy” gun and detailed to guard the American newspaper “Shanghai Evening Post,” disappeared, after which an unexploded bomb was found under the newspaper’s presses. It is not known whether the Russian placed the bomb there or whether he was kidnapped by those who did. Japanese gendarmes disarmed, and have since detained, three Settlement Chinese detectives in steel vests who responded to a robbery alarm off the Yuyen Road in the disputed area outside the Settlement. The gendarmes have ordered the uniformed municipal police to leave the area immediately. A Tokio message states that Mr Chuichi Ohashi, a former Councillor of the Manchukuo Government, has accepted the post of Vice-Foreign. Minister. BRITISH SUBJECTS TWO ARRESTED IN KOREA. Two more British subjects have been detained, in Korea, Daventry reports. Representations regarding the arrests have been made by the British Ambassador in Tokio. MISSIONARY ARRESTED (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 2. It is authoritatively stated that two more Britons have been arrested in Korea by the Japanese. Those arrested are Mr Sandford and the Rev Chadwell. an English Church missionary at Heijo. Sir Robert Craigie is making representations. POWERFUL DEFENCES IN DUTCH EAST INDIES. EXPECTATION OF JAPANESE ATTACK. (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. According to a Dutch rubber official. Mr J. A. Schiotling, from Sarawak, who arrived from Java aboard a cargo vessel today, Japan is expected to attempt

the penetration of the Dutch East Indies. He contended that such an attempt would meet with little success, as a powerful army, well trained and thoroughly vigilant, is ready to deal with any invader and the utmost precautions have been taken to cope with air raids. Mr Schiotling added that the coastline is bristling with shore batteries. TERRORISM IN SHANGHAI RESOLUTION BY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, August 2. The consular body passed a resolution, condemning terrorism and urging the Municipal Council to do its utmost to eradicate all terrorism. RESIDENCE RAIDED SHANGHAI, August 2. Unidentified raiders entered the residence of Mr Kenneth Selby-Walker, Reuter's Far East manager, last night. They examined the documents in his desk, but stole nothing. Mr Walker flew to Japan on Tuesday in connection with Mr Cox’s death.