VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1941, Page 5

VOLUNTEER AIR FORCE

ASSEMBLING IN BURMA TO FIGHT FOR CHINA. WILL INCLUDE MANY AMERICANS (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, October 1. The Simla correspondent of “The Times” says that aircraft are now arriving and are being assembled in Burma for an international volunteer air force, which is being created for the purpose of rendering aid to China. The force will include many Americans. Other aircraft are arriving at Burma for the Chinese air force. The Japanese Cabinet spokesman, Mr Ishii, said that Japan was trying to solve the China affair “militarily and also diplomatically.” He elaborated the term “diplomatically” by explaining that Japan was negotiating indirectly with various countries. He declined to admit that “indirectly” meant adoption of a round-about way with Chungking. He also said that Japan was greatly concerned about Mr Duff Cooper’s i activities and added that “though the British assert they were acting defensively we think they are encircling Japan. However, we admire Mr Duff Cooper’s frankness of utterance wherever he goes.” Mr Ishii stated that the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, recently informed the Foreign ViceMinister, Mr Eiji Arnau, that' he was going to Shanghai “on short leave.” but he did not state whether Sir Robert Craigie had cancelled his trip for good or merely temporarily. VERGE OF BREAKDOWN AMERICAN-JAPANESE NEGOTIATIONS. REPORTED CONFERENCE AT SINGAPORE. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 1. j The “Herald-Tribune” says the i American-Japanese talks are on I the verge of a breakdown, due to Japan’s continued adhesion to the Axis, but both sides are clinging to the negotiations in the hope of averting a Cabinet crisis in Japan, with the likelihood of a more forceful Government coming into power. The “Herald-Tribune’s” Tokio correspondent reports that the “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” claims that Mi’ A. Duff Cooper is conferring at Singapore with Sir John Latham (Australian Minister to Japan) and Sir Archibald Clark-Kerr (British Ambassador to China) in an attempt to strengthen the A.B.C.D. (America, British, Chinese and Dutch) encirclement of Japan.