JAPAN’S REPLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 November 1941, Page 6

JAPAN’S REPLY

TO AMERICAN TERMS MAY BE EARLY ATTACK ON THAILAND. AND ON THE BURMA ROAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON. November 27. Authoritative sources fear that Japan’s answer to the American terms will be an attack against Thailand within a few days, says the United Press. Reports reaching Washington state that the Japanese are massing troops in north and south Indo-China, apparently for offensives against Thailand and the Burma Road. , Large numbers of troops and guns have been landed at Saigon during the last five days and the Japanese have purchased boats up and down the coast. The Japanese Navy appears to be ready for action. The Domei news agency says the terms-handed to the Japanese envoys offer little hope of bridging the gap on Japanese-American problems and there is little room for prolonging the conversations.

The Bangkok radio, for the second night in succession, stressed Thailand’s danger in the Pacific situation and urged preparedness and an avoidance of squabbles, as even a minor incident might easily develop into a large-scale conflagration. The Domei Agency’s Nanking correspondent says Mr Wang Ching-wei (head of the puppet government), speaking on the anniversary of the Japanese recognition of his regime, pledged himself to whole-hearted collaboration with Japan, regardless of international developments.