READY TO FIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 October 1941, Page 5

READY TO FIGHT

BUT MEDIATION & PEACE PREFERRED TALL TALK IN TOKIO PAPER. JAPAN AS “BALANCING POWER.” (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, October 22. The “New York Times” Tokio correspondent, Mr Otto Tolischus, says' that, while Tokio is blacked out during defence manoeuvres, the “Japan Times and Advertiser.” using authoritative language, reiterates the offer to mediate in the world war. “While ready to fight the United States if necessary, Japan prefers world-wide peace and. despite her Axis partnership, she is the only strong, independent nation able to mediate.” it says. "This is the last chance to use Japan to explore the way to peace—Japan is the balancing Powei’ whose decision is able to plunge the Pacific into chaos.” The “Japan Times” repudiates the assumption that Japan is Under Germany’s thumb and says the tripartite pact permits Japan to tender advice to Germany as well as vice-versa. It says Japan is not anybody’s tool and that Japan does not stand cap in hand before any nation, because the weak plead in vain, whereas the strong demand and get their rights. The “Japan Times” expresses the hope that America will realise Japan's great influence and consider the possibility of reciprocal concessions. The paper concludes that much of the current world trouble is due to malign propaganda and excitable publicity and expresses hopes that the Japanese and foreign Press will mend theii’ ways. Mr Tolischus says that while speeding up national mobilisation and expanding armament and industry, General Tojo wants to continue negotiations with Washington in an effort to obtain “peace with justice.” Newspapers, expiating on General Tojo’s policy, agree on' the following points: First, Japan desires to bring the Washington negotiations to a successful conclusion. Thus America must change her attitude because Japan's national policies are “immutable.” Secondly, all aggravating actions must be suspended while the negotiations continue. A Domei news agency broadcast said that the Premier, General Tojo, has accepted the resignation of nine members of the Cabinet Advisory Council. New members will be appointed who can actually co-operate with the Government.