JAPANESE PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1940, Page 6

JAPANESE PROTEST

AGAINST REOPENING OF BURMA ROAD LIKELIHOOD OF ACUTE RELATIONS. AN ALLEGED CHALLENGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) TOKIO. October 8. Japan’s protest against the opening of the Burma Road is expected to be on the grounds that this action is contrary to the spirit of the three months’ agreement, which is said to have included a tacit understanding as to the possibility of an extension of the closure. Japan is also likely to claim the violation in letter and spirit of the Arita-Craigie agreement of last year, whereby Britain recognised the special position and needs of Japan regarding China and disclaimed an intention to aid or abet Japan’s enemies. The Japanese believe that the British notification will not affect the British ban on the transportation of military and other supplies to China via Hong Kong. All indications are that AngloJapanese relations will be very acute, inasmuch as .Ahe British decision was taken after Japan’s conclusion of the Tripartite Alliance and also on v account of the Japanese Government’s statement regarding its determination to reject all nations assisting Chiang Kai-Shek. Consequently the British action will be regarded as a challenge to Japan. The British decision to reopen the Burma Road is ascribed by the “Japan Times” to a desire to “save face” with China and to support Chungking as the only force resisting Japan, together with the United States. The decision is stated to be an unmistakeable indication of, Britain taking, with the United States, a common front against Japan. INDO-CHINA 1 INCLUDED IN AMERICAN EVACUATION AREAS. (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI, October 8. Indo-China is included in the American evacuation areas. A “China Mail” dispatch from Haiphong says Admiral Decoux is transferring his headquarters from Hanoi to Hue, “in view of recent developments.” EVENT POSTPONED RECOGNITION OF PUPPET GOVERNMENT. SOME SUGGESTED REASONS. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) SHANGHAI, October 8. Japan is postponing formal recognition of Mr Wang Ching-wei’s regime, which had been scheduled for October 10, the anniversary of the Chinese revolution. It is understood that the postponement is connected with the new Axis alliance and is also partly due to Japanese hopes of a rapprochment with Russia.