POLICY DEFINED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1941, Page 5

POLICY DEFINED

JAPAN’S NEW CABINET SETTLEMENT OF “CHINA AFFAIR.” MORE NEWSPAPER ATTACKS ON U.S.A. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) TOKIO, July 20. The “Asahi Shimbun” says that the new Foreign Minister, Vice-Admiral Toyoda, in an interview, defined his fundaniental policy as the settlement of the “China affair.” Japan’s established national policy remained immovable and immutable, he said, but it was his opinion that it might be necessary to take a free view of diplomacy i to make it suit the day-to-day international situalion. “I am fully informed of the negotiations leading up to the signature of the Tripartite Pact,” he said, “but my knowledge of the diplomatic affairs of the last three months is not complete. I am prepared to study the matter and. make my judgment accordingly.” The Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, announced that the Government would function on a war footing. Japan’s policy for coping with the international situation already had been fixed and it now remained for the Government to put it into practice with decision and speed. The officially-inspired “Japan Times and Advertiser” says a Roosevelt wall is being built and strengthened about Japan's eastern front and that this threatens the safety of the Japanese empire. “The time for Japan to take forceful measures in her own interests is now, before the throttling circle becomes too strong and dangerous,” the paper says. The “Kokumin Shimbun” says the fundamental problems are the Siberian question and American encirclement of Japan. Future foreign policy will be to destroy third Power machinations against Japan’s new order in Asia. Tokio vernacular newspapers predict long life for the new Cabinet with reorganisation and stabilisation of the internal political scene. Since fundamental policy is unchanged, the Government will not issue a platform statement. However, it is expected to clarify its policy to the Press after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. PLAIN WARNING GIVEN BY LORD HALIFAX. MAINTENANCE OF RIGHTS & INTERESTS. LONDON, July 20. Speaking in San Francisco the British Ambassador to the United States, Lord Halifax, said that neither in the British Commonwealth nor America was there the slightest desire to pick a quarrel with Japan. Provided Japan had due regard for the rights of other interested Powers, he saw no reason why any difficulties need arise to lead to a clash, but no one should make the mistake of thinking that, under pressure, Britain would allow her legitimate rights and interests to be ignored and set aside. Observers in Washington believe that the new Japanese Cabinet offers scant hope of improved relations with Britain and the United States or of any lessening of tension in the Pacific. Authoritative opinion in Batavia is that Japan will not attack Russia, but that peaceful or unpeaceful penetration of French Indo-China can be expected at any moment. OPINION IN CHINA. The Foreign Office spokesman in Chungking said that Prince Konoye had formed a “Water Bird” Cabinet, meaning a calm surface concealing great activity underneath. Despite the conservative appearance of the new Cabinet, Japan would be certain to move soon either northward or southward, he said. It is reported from Tokio that the Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Chuichi Ohasi, and the Ambassador to Nanking, Mr Honda, have resigned. It,is believed they are in sympathy with Mr Matsuoka. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr Quo Tai-chi, in an interview with the United Press of America, pointed out that there are an unprecedented number of army and naval men in the new Japanese Cabinet, for which reason he considered that a semi-military Cabinet had been designed fully to prepare Japan’s contemplated military moves. He said that when preparations were completed Japan would be ready to strike. Mr Quo Tai-chi warned that the Cabinet appeared outwardly to be civilian, which it was hoped would enable Japan to extract the last benefits from American and British circles. JAPANESE TROOPS REPORTED CONCENTRATION. THREAT TO INNER MONGOLIA. LONDON, July 20. Reports from Peking state that the Japanese are concentrating troops there for transport to Manchukuo or Inner Mongolia. The majority of these troops have been withdrawn from the Shahs! province. Shanghai reports state that troop trains are already rushing Japanese forces to Kalgan, in Inner Mongolia. It is suggested that the Japanese are strengthening their forces along Russia’s far eastern frontiers. The Japanese Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Mr Tatekawa, is reported to have handed the Russian Government a sharp protest against the establishment of danger zones in Japanese waters.