JAPAN WARNED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21211, 6 September 1940, Page 6

JAPAN WARNED

NOTICE BY AMERICA “UNFORTUNATE EFFECT” INDOCHINA’S STATUS (United Pre-ss Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, has publicly notified Japan that any change in the status quo of French Indo-China or the Netherlands East Indies owing to Japanese military operations will have an “ unfortunate effect on public opinion in the United States.” Mr Hull revealed that the United States was taking an adamant stand on its refusal to allow Japanese troops to take over all the defence sectors in the International Settlement at Shanghai formerly patrolled by the British. “ During recent months,” said Mr Hull, “ the United States and others, including Japan, expressed a desire that the status quo be respected and preserved in the Pacific, with special reference to the Netherlands East Indies and French Indo-China. “ In the absence of official confirmation of the reported Japanese ultimatum to the authorities of French Indo-China, this Government is reluctant to give credence to the report of the situation and the subjects to which it relates. “ However, it is a matter to which the United States attaches importance, and it stands to reason that, should events prove the report to be well-founded, the effect upon public opinion in the United States will be unfortunate.” Mr Hull said that the American and Japanese forces had conferred on the assignment of the sectors ir. Shanghai formerly guarded by tne British, bufr no agreement had been reached. Oil Supply Conference A message from Bandoeing, Netherlands East Indies, says the discussions between the Dutch and Japanese on the oil supply question opened with Mr Tadaharu Mukai, president of the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, conferring with M. Panthaleon Van Eck, president of the Royal Dutch Company. Mr Fred Kay, a Standard Oil Company official, is representing British and American interests.