BURMA ROAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 October 1940, Page 5

BURMA ROAD

RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT UNLIKELY ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. CONTACT WITH UNITED STATES. There is a general consensus of opinion in political circles in London, the 8.8. C. reports, that the British Government will not renew the agreement with Japan to close the Burma Road for a further period. This road was closed for three months, expiring on October 18, only on condition that efforts should be made for a general settlement in the Far East. It is stated that the Prime Minister will make a statement regarding the British Government’s decision. The United States Government is being, kept informed of the British Government’s intentions regarding the Burma Road. The United States Secretary for the Navy, Colonel Knox, has held a conference with the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet and other high officers of the Pacific Fleet. JAPANESE CLAIM DESTRUCTION OF ROUTE “VERY EASY.” TOKIO, October 6. The Hanoi correspondent of the “Asahi Shimbiin” says that a reopening of the Burma Road by the British will not affect Japan, because with the landing of Japanese planes at Hanoi under the terms of the agreement between Japan and Indo-China the Japanese now have complete air supremacy in Yunnan and Szechwan. In view of this, the aerial destruction of the Burma route is considered “very easy.” CHINESE COUNSEL AMERICA SHOULD STRIKE FIRST. BEFORE JAPAN CONSOLIDATES. (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) CHUNGKING, October 7. The influential ‘ newspaper “Takung Pao” said the United States should realise that a Japan-ese-America war is inevitable, for which reason the United States should “strike first” before Japanconsolidates her position in IndoChina, forms a military alliance with Thailand and makes a drive against the Burma Road. The newspaper also said the United States should declare a' complete economic bockade of Japan and immediately utilise the Singapore and Australian naval and air bases, because in this lies the only hope of possibly averting war or at least assuring a shorter war. The “Takung Pao” declared that a Japanese-American war would be like a fight between a lion and a rabbit, in view of the American superiority, and added that such a war would result “in the execution of the international brigands.” I

JAPAN PREPARING ANTICIPATION OF WORST TO COME. OBSERVATIONS BY FOREIGN MINISTER. ' (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) TOKIO, October 7. The Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, said it was impossible at present to state definitely what would be the repercussions of the alliance, but Japan must make necessary preparations in anticipation of the worst to come. He added that the conclusion of the pact does not mean that Japan will immediately enter upon war with any non-signatory nation and emphasised that Japan was only “too eager” to maintain friendly relations with all nations which were willing to co-operate. He continued: “While in the past the Russian-Japanese relations have been far from satisfactory, this is not the time for the two countries to be at loggerheads. They should co-operate for a higher objective. Nothing would please the rest of the world more than a Russian-Japanese clash.” AMERICAN POLICY DISCUSSION IN WASHINGTON. NAVAL CHIEF CALLED IN. WASHINGTON, October 7. 1 The naval chief, Admiral Richardson, arrived by air from the Pacific coast and he will confer today with the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, in which a decision on the disposition of the United States fleet is likely to be made. Diplomats said that the implementation of the entire Far Eastern policy of the United States may hinge on the outcome of this conference, which they presume will discuss a wide range of subjects bearing in the United States’ ability to maintain her position as a supporter of the status quo in the Far East, including possible joint use of the Singapore and Australian bases. TENSION MOUNTS REJECTION OF THAILAND DEMANDS. (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) HANOI, October 7. The Indo-China-Thailand tension mounted after Thailand’s representative, Major Chai Pradipasena went to Bangkok last night, after a conference with Mr Sumita and Admiral Decoux, and Mi - Martin, at which Major Chai Pradipasena said Admiral Decoux had rejected Thailand’s demands.