FOR ARMED CLASH IN PACIFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1941, Page 5

FOR ARMED CLASH IN PACIFIC

Unless United States Alleviates Economic Pressure ACCORDING TO DOMEI NEWS AGENCY SUPPLIES THAT MUST BE OBTAINED NEW YORK, November 1. The “New York Times’’ correspondent, Mr Tolischus, in a message from Tokic, quotes a Domei statement, which is attributed to “well-informed observers,” a euphemism for official quarters. The statement in substance says that today Japan is completing her war structure for an armed clash in the Pacific, “which now seems inevitable” and can be averted only if the United States alleviates her economic pressure.

Apparently the statement is designed to refute the supposed Washington Government' viewpoint that Japan can be brought to her knees by economic pressure alone, without resort to war. The Domei statement says: “Tension in the Pacific is gradually increasing, despite all sincere efforts on the part of Japan. Such tension can be ascribed solely to the strengthening of anti-Japanese encirclement. In the present international situation, which is characterised by the imminent fall of Moscow and the danger of American participation in the war because of the frequent sinking of American ships, the United States is making every effort to avoid a clash in the Pacific. It must be pointed out, however, that the United States vaingloriously assumes that she can force Japan to abandon her national policy by aggressive economic pressure, without resorting to arms. Such an assumption is evidently based on American under-estimation of Japan’s national strength.” The Domei statement then reiterates the familiar contention that the coprosperity expansion policy is essential and immutable, and' threatens that, if the economic blockade continues, Japan will be compelled, whatever the consequences, to seek v sources of vital supplies as a measure of self defence and even face a situation where she must break through hostile encirclement. CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES FEARS EXPRESSED FOR SAFETY. NUMBER ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY JAPANESE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, November 1. According to the Peking correspondent of the United Press of America grave fears were expressed today for the safety of Catholic missionaries arrested by the Japanese military in south Tientsin. A Japanese military spokesman said that 13 Chinese Catholic priests, members of the Jesuit mission at Sienhsien were arrested and charged with having suspicious relations with Chinese Communists and bandits. It was’denied that the Japanese killed a nun. Shanghai reports said a number of priests and nuns had been killed by Japanese at Sienhsien mission. More than 50 missionaries were stationed at the mission. Japanese dispatches accounted foi- the safety of only 13.