IN VIEW OF JAPAN-AXIS ALLIANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1940, Page 5

IN VIEW OF JAPAN-AXIS ALLIANCE

Statement by Mr Sumner Welles NEED OF PREPARING FOR EVENTUALITIES ASSAULT ON INDO-CHINA CONDEMNED CLEVELAND, September 28. The Asistant Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, in a foreign policy pronouncement considered most significant m view of the Japan-Axis alliance announcement, reasserted the United States’ intention to “render all material support and assistance in the form of supplies and munitions to Britain and the British Dominions in what we hope will be their successful defence against armed aggression.” He issued a warning that the United States faced the gravest dangers of any in history and must continue in future, as in the past, to prepare for all eventualities and arm with all haste and vigour to guard the New World from the threatened danger. Simultaneously they must be ready when the time came to aid in the construction of that kind of world peace based on justice and law, by which alone could United States security be fully guaranteed.

PROMISES BROKEN

Mr Welles condemned the assault on Indo-China as a threat to the colony’s integrity, contrary to Japan’s promises to respect the status quo. “The United States’ primary requirements in the Far East can be thus simply set forth,” he said. "First, complete ’respect by all Powers for the legitimate rights of the United States and its nationals as stipulated under the existing treaties, or provided in the accepted tenets of international law. "Secondly, equality of opportunity to trade with all nations. "Thirdly, respect for international agreements and treaties concerning the Far East to which the United States is a party, though with the expressed understanding that the United States will always be willing to consider peaceful negotiation for such modifications and changes as may be considered necessary in the light of changed conditions.” There are indications that the answer of the United States to the alliance may take the form of increased aid to Britain, signs of which have multiplied during a series of important conferences, a Washington message states. The British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, and Sir Walter Layton conferred first with the Secretary of State and then with the' President, Mr Roosevelt subsequently conferred with the defence chiefs and the Secretary of the Treasury, who is the co-ordinator of the arms purchase plan between the United States and Britain. Later Cabinet met. Lord Lothian revealed that he had discussed the Pacific with Mr Hull, and that they had also considered problems relating to the establishment of United States bases and sites leased under the destroyer deal. Mr Roosevelt received a delegation of 87 from all parts of the nation urging further immediate aid to Britain. The spokesman of the delegation stated later: “We were enthusiastically encouraged.” Most observers in Washington doubt that the pact will influence Britain and the United States and also doubt that the pact will have any immediate physical results, since the three signatory Powers are fully occupied already. Because of the limited achievements which the pact could produce immediately, some believe that it was designed partly to bolster up .the morale of the three countries concerned where the quick victories which were anticipated have not materialised. ENCIRCLEMENT OF RUSSIA Meanwhile, many observers express the opinion that the ultimate and most important result might be the encirclement of Russia, leading the Soviet seriously and promptly to consider closer association with Britain and the United States. Mr Welles said that in her endeavour to create a new order in Asia. Japan had relied on armed force. She had made it very clear’ that she intended that Japan alone should decide the extent to which the historic interests of the United States treaty rights of Americans in the Far East should be observed. He added that there had been many hundreds of violations of American rights, but no problems were presented which could not be solved peacefully through negotiation provided there was a sincere desire of all concerned to find an equitable solution giving just recognition to the rights and real needs of all concerned. Mr Welles praised the heroism of the British in defending successfullj’ their homes and liberties. PRESERVING PEACE CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. SAN FRANCISCO, September 28. Mr C. V. Whitney, on his return from the South Seas and the East, suggested that the United States should call a conference of Pacific nations to discuss the means of preserving peace. i “I predict that out of such a conference would come a peace lasting many years," he said, "because if the Japanese intentions are peaceful she will have a chance to prove it. If not, other nations will have the chance to get together for their mutual welfare.” "There is no question that it would be a great loss to us if we awoke one morning to find the great resources of

Australia, the Dutch East Indies and the Phillippines diverted elsewhere also perhaps find other happily free people like ourselves free no longer. If these things are not worth the utmost effort to preserve now, when they still can be preserved, then we may soon have to fight for them when the odds have turned very much against us.”