OPINION IN LONDON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1941, Page 5

OPINION IN LONDON

JAPANESE PREPARED TO GO AHEAD WITH AGGRESSIVE PLANS. EXPLOSION MAY BE MATTER OF DAYS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. August 5. The Japanese attitude to .Thailand is still causing great concern. The Tokio newspaper “Kokumin” said Thailand should follow IndoChina’s example and secure her defence through Japan's assistance. It added: “The East Indies is an indispensable element in a Japan-pro-tected co-prosperity sphere. However, Thailand is Japan’s immediate concern.” With the completion of the Japanese occupation of the Indo-China bases reports are being received in London that the position in Thailand is regarded as extremely grave. The opinion is expressed that events may move fast unless Britain and the United States guarantee Thailand's independence. The most authoritative commentators think that Japan realises the risks involved, but nevertheless is prepared to go ahead with her plans. The Saigon bureau of the Associated Press of America says that military and political leaders in British Malaya, Thailand, and Indo-China believe that an explosion may be only a matter of days. The expectations of Berlin and Rome may be summed up in the comment of Signor Virginio Gayda, who writes in the “Giornale d’ltalia” that the AngloSaxon nations should prepare to face a furious counter-blow which will be unleashed in Europe and the Pacific and end the Russian campaign. RELIEF SHIP REMOVAL OF AMERICANS FROM JAPAN. 1 WASHINGTON, August 5. _ The United States Government is preparing to send a vessel to Japan to evacuate the 654 Americans virtually stranded by the suspension of Japanese sailings.