PREPARED FOR MAJOR CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 10

PREPARED FOR MAJOR CRISIS

IMMEDIATE PUSH SOUTHWARD PROBABLE AIMS ON INDO CHINA FRENCH SURRENDER LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 21, 3.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Sept. 20 Authoritative reports from Tokio state that Japan is prepared for a major crisis in Japanese-American relations over Indo-China. The Japanese are confident that Indo-China at the last minute would accept its ultimatum. However, in view of Mr Cordell Hull’s statement, they anticipate American retaliation, probably stiff embargoes. It is believed in Tokio that the Imperial Conference has irrevocably decided on an immediate push southward, including the Dutch East Indies. Then an attempt will be made to force the United States to lift the embargoes in return for East Indies tin and rubber. The Japanese believe, in vierv of M. Baudoin’s revelation of the United States’ failure to promise definite support to Indo-China, that the French will probably announce on Sunday their acceptance of the Japanese demands. The main Japanese objective is naval bases, from which almost immediately they will strike at the East Indies before American embargoes could be effective.