NEW CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1941, Page 5

NEW CRISIS

ANTICIPATED IN U.S.A.

CLOSE WATCH ON JAPAN.

NAVAL CIRCLES FAVOUR ACTION.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, October 15.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that President Roosevelt is formulating a policy to meet the diplomatic repercussions if Moscow falls, which most Administration circles admit would cause a new crisis in the war. Those who are in a position to know say that Mr Roosevelt is determined to go to all possible lengths to keep Russia fighting and encourage Britain and Turkey. Diplomatic reports reaching Washington increasingly mention the possibility of Japan extending northward and southward if Moscow falls. Meanwhile, a movement is growing within the Administration for counter-action by America. Influential naval circles who have favoured direct action against Japan since the outbreak of the war are now arguing that the Japanese threat, which is keeping a large part of the American fleet in the Pacific, must be eliminated while Germany is involved in Russia. The United States Ambassador to Rome, Mr Phillips, who has returned to Washington, told the Press that the Italian situation is delicate. This agrees with the reports that the Italian people’s spirits are low and has aroused hopes that it might be possible to induce Rome to accept a separate, peace.