STAND BY THAILAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1941, Page 5

STAND BY THAILAND

DETERMINED TO DEFEND INDEPENDENCE JAPAN PLACING INDUSTRIES ON WAR FOOTING. SITUATION OF EXTREME TENSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, August 11. Japan is preparing to apply the full powers of her general mobilisation laws and is moving to place her industries on a war time footing. Special attention is being given to the co-ordination of shipping with commerce and industry. The Bangkok radio today announced that Thailand would not concede an inch of territory, and if forced to fight she would use all methods, including the Russian scorched earth policy and, if need be, poison gas. An agency correspondent says that the Thais are convinced that the Axis will not win the war. The Bangkok correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says there is a general impression that the atmosphere is definitely better, after intense diplomatic activity throughout the day, in which the United States Minister figured and which reached a climax in an extraordinary meeting of Cabinet. The Hong Kong representative of “The Times” says that, amidst the dangers and complexities of the situation, iX'is felt there that one thing at least is clear—Japan’s action in French indo-China has taken up the last of the slack. The tension is so taut now that any move against Thailand, Burma. Singapore, or the Netherlands East Indies would be almost certain to result in war in the Pacific. Officially described as a fortress, Hong Kong probably has more heavy guns for its size than any part of the Empire. The colony is practically on a war footing, though life is going on much as usual. Another vast air raid tunnel with a capacity of 10,000 persons, is nearing completion in the heart of the city. The Singapore correspondent of “The Times” says the Japanese occupation of Indo-China applies to _ the economics as well as the military sphere. This is clear from reports that Japanese officials are being appointed to co-operate with the French administration and also that technicians are arriving to participate in the development of Inclo-China’s resources and to help reorganise her export trade.