JAPAN STILL SUSPECT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1941, Page 6

JAPAN STILL SUSPECT

SIGNS OF COOPERATION WITH GERMANY ADVOCATES OF NEUTRALITY FAILING. BELLICOSE NEWSPAPER TALK. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 3. A closer examination of the statement of Mr Matsuoka (Japanese Foreign Minister) that Japan will continue to watch international developments, is causing some commentators to express the opinion that the danger of active co-opera-tion between Germany and Japan has not passed. The “Daily Mail's" diplomatic correspondent says Hitler is putting pressure on Japan to provide a diversion and adds: “It is possible that the Japanese will see an opportunity to launch a southern drive, though an attack on the East Indies would be risky, because it would bring a quick reaction from the United Slates. It seems that influences working in Tokio to produce a policy of neutrality have failed, and the situation is viewed with some concern.” An Associated Press of Great Britain correspondent in Berlin says that despite a rigid censorshirp, indications have come from Tokio that Japan has chosen to side with Germany as against Russia and will continue her policy of southward expansion, thus aiding Germany by keeping the United States Navy in the Pacific. All the Tokio newspapers applaud the Government's decision toward the Rus-sian-German war. “The Mikayo," charging the British and Americans with meddling and delaying a solution of the China affair, said: “The lime will come sooner or later when we shall ask these meddlers to reconsider their policy or halt them by force."

The “Yomiuru” stated that 1.500 Russians are going home because of the intense war situation, but Russian officials denied that there will be any wholesale evacuation. They added that I some women and children were going to Russia “because we think that in these times they should bo at home.” ATTITUDE OF CAUTION ADOPTED BY MR WELLES. GUARDED REPLIES MADE TO QUESTIONERS. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 3. The Assistant Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles), answering a Press conference question whether the United States had official information concerning a war policy adopted by Japan, said the Government naturally hoped that the Japanese attitude would make for the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Asked regarding reports received by the State Department that several Japanese vessels en route from Manila to San Francisco had been requisitioned by the Japanese Government, and chrome cargoes landed at Japanese ports, Mr Welles replied that the Japanese were perfectly within their rights in such action. ORDERED HOME ALL JAPANESE SHIPPING. ACCORDING TO AMERICAN REPORTS. (Received This Day. Noon.) NEW YORK. July 3. The New York “Journal of Commerce” reports that all Japanese shipping has been ordered by the Japanese Government to return to its home ports. Offices of Japanese lines would not confirm this apparent requisition, but an indication that the report is founded on fact was to be seen in confirmation of the news that two Japanese ships laden with chrome ore, from the Philippines, have been requisitioned by the Government. The “Journal of Commerce" says the move was closely guarded, but reports from numerous directions showed that something was up on Japanese ships from Manila. It is reported that the Tabacalera Company received a notification from Kobe today that the Kyusa Marti, carrying cargo from the Philippines to the United States, had been requisitioned by the Japanese Government and ordered not to proceed to her destination.

The Associated Press of America Manila correspondent says it is reliably reported that the Japanese Government has ordered all ships in Philippine waters to return home immediately.