“PEACE TERMS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1941, Page 5

“PEACE TERMS”

PUBLISHED IN JAPAN POSSIBLY ON INSPIRATION FROM BERLIN. FANTASTIC PROPOSALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, May 1. The “Japan Times and Advertiser,” Tokio. an unofficial organ of the Japanese Foreign Office, has published on “higher inspiration” a schedule of peace terms which it states will be considered at an ultimate conference between the representatives of Japan. Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States. Great Britain and the British Empire. Since Mr Matsuoka has just returned from Europe it is considered that the higher inspiration may have been derived from Berlin. The principal, terms cited are as follows: — 1. Absolute naval parity between the “Axis group” and the United States and the British Empire. 2. The naval bases at Gibraltar, Alexandria. Malta, Singapore and Hawaii to be demilitarised. 3. England to remain the heart of the British Empire. 4. The whole of Europe to be organised as one entity under Germany and her “junior partner,” Italy. 5. The whole of northern Africa to be at the disposal of the Axis group. 6. Australia to relax her racial laws to permit the unrestricted entry of Japanese nationals. 7. The sphere of influence of the United States to include Iceland, Greenland. Canada, Central and South America, with the proviso that no ruling hegemony shall be permitted which is inimical to the Axis group.

AMERICAN COMMENT GRIM REALITY OF WAR. DREAMS OF ISOLATION DEAD. NEW YORK. May 1. The “New York Post," in an editorial today, says: — “Hitler has ordered the Nazi Propaganda Ministry to turn on another peace offensive, this time aimed directly at the United States. The offer of the ‘Japan Times’ is an act as generous as handing a man a knife with which to commit harakiri. The peace offensive depicts the grim reality of a world in which all dreams of isolation are dead, though some few dreamers still live.” The editorial concludes: “There is only one answer to this clumsy whisper. We must reply that we know our peril and that we will fight thq danger.” Mr Dewit MacKenzie. a special commentator of the Associated Press of America, says today: "One of the most extraordinary documents of the war is the ‘Japan Times’ abstract exploration of peace terms which, in the language of the Axis Powers, are Napoleonic in their scope and definitely those of conquerors.” Mr MacKenzie says that they have no value as a basis for peace negotiations, but that they are important as showing the Axis objectives. Many observers believe Hitler would welcome peace now. but that naturally he will accept only a conqueror’s terms.”

VISIT TO JAPAN TO PUT END TO PRESENT WAR. SUGGESTION TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) TOKIO, May 2. Instead of Mr Matsuoka visiting the United States, for the Army; the “Kokumin Shimbun” suggests that President Roosevelt visit Japan” for the purpose of putting an end to the present world war,” saying that he ought- to look squarely at Japan as she stands in Greater East Asia. The "Kokumin Shimbun” adds: “President Wilson made a personal call on the European Powers and put an end to the world war; why should not President Roosevelt follow suit for the same noble mission?" FAILURE IN FLIGHT AXIS TRIAL BALLOON. NEW YORK, May 2. A high diplomat said there had been surprisingly little reaction to the “Japan Times" reported peace terms. They were generally regarded as an Axis trial balloon which had failed in flight. American opinion, he said, simply was not interested in the proposed terms. Nevertheless, there was a remarkable tendency here to welcome the idea that the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, should visit America. The “New York Times" reports the Secretary of State, Mr Hull, as saying that he had not read the terms, but that he indicated they were far apart from the American position.