ALL BUT COLLAPSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1941, Page 6

ALL BUT COLLAPSED

JAPANESE-AMERICAN DISCUSSIONS +■ Grave View Taken by United States OF TROOP CONCENTRATIONS IN INDO-CHINA ASSURANCES OF PEACEFUL INTENTIONS DEMANDED (By Telegraph,—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 28. The Japanese-American discussions have all but collapsed. It is understood that the State Department has informed Admiral Nomura (Japanese Ambassador) and Mr Kurusu (specia envoy) that the United States takes an extremely grave view of the increased Japanese troop concentrations in Indo-China, even while the Washington discussions have been canied on, and must insist that the concentrations be dispersed. A resumption of discussions for the stabilisation of the i‘ar Eastern situation is now considered possible only if Japan gives assurances of her peaceful intentions and reverses the present trend of her actions. ~ The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times says that although President Roosevelt took a personal hand in the negotiations by inviting the Japanese envoys to visit the White House, there is nothing to indicate that he is reopening the conversations. That is considered to be up to Japan rather than the United States. When Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) transmitted a document to Japan, it was felt that he had exhausted all efforts possible on the American side to achieve a solution. It may develop that the real and convincing reply of the Japanese to Mr Hull’s document will be found in actions in Indo-China rather than in words. If events come to a military showdown, the United States is prepared. “The Times’ ’ Tokio correspondent, Mr Tolischus, declares that the strong gestures of the group of nations following the United States are steadily aggravating' the situation in the Pacific The Japanese newspaper “Yomiuri Shimbun’’ says Japan will carefully examine Mr Hull’s proposals, but there is absolutely no room for compromise on General Tojo’s three points. A Shanghai message states that the Japanese are . concentrating considerable light naval units, including cruisers, in South China waters, especially at Haiphong. It is believed that the Japanese are strengthening their naval contingents to guard supply lines or may even make a decisive move against Thailand. * Seven hundred American marines have sailed from Shanghai, leaving barely 200 in China.