FIRMNESS OF AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 5

FIRMNESS OF AMERICA

IMPORTANT TALKS WITH JAPAN DETERMINED TO STOP FURTHER AGGRESSION INTEGRITY OF CHINA MUST BE MAINTAINED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 18 I lie Washington correspondent of the New York Times says diplomatic circles are of opinion that unless Japan's view that third parties must keep their hands from China can he reconciled with the Lnitcd States’ insistence upon the maintenance of the territorial integrity of China the present conference may prove futile. He said the United States position regarding Japan is (1) a desire to avoid war with Japan; (2) a determination to permit no further Japanese aggression; and (3) insistence upon China s position as a sovereign State. It is said the Japanese envoys, Mr Kurusu and Admiral Nomura, appeared far from happy as they hurried from White House after a conference with President Roosevelt and entered their car, which started with such speed that the door was not closed. Japanese bonds advanced sharply, presumably because of the opening of the Japanese-American negotiations in Washington.

Must Leave Axis The United Press of America says that the Unted States may offer Japan the status of an ally instead of a foe as a basis of settlement. It is said the United States will iismiss as not a subject for negotiation General Tojo’s demand for relaxation of the blockade unless Japan is willing to withdraw from the Axis and redirect her national effort to help the democracies against Hitler. It is said that under the latter condition the United States might use its good offices to secure a settlement with Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, under which Japan would receive economic rights in China and equality with the Western Powers, in full consideration of China’s sovereign rights.

It is added alternatively that the United States will intensify its aid to China and will regard any Japanese threat southward as a threat to United States sources of essential raw materials, thus a direct attack on the United States.

An agency correspondent states that the talks began in an atmosphere of constraint, following the statement by the Japanese Prime Minister, General Tojo. There is no sign in Washington that the United States will consider backing down. It is thought, however, that the issue of peace or war may not be decided by the talks, but will help Japan to make up her mind whether she is going to continue to be aggressive.

The Japanese press, however, emphasise that this is the United States’ last chance. One newspaper states that scores of American instructors for the Chinese air force have reached China in recent weeks, and it does not see any chance of the Washington discussions being successful if the United States continues to help China. Japanese Terms “Nonsense”

The New York Times says: “After substantial discount is made for the fact that the Japanese Premier, General Tojo, spoke for home consumption to a war-weary, disillusioned people, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that the Japanese terms are nonsense. No Japanese Premier can possibly expect the United States to reverse the traditional policy of the past and make its policy for the future at the behest of Nippon.” Allies’ Terrific Resources Observers do not expect momentous decisions during the first two days of the Diet sitting, because of Mr Kurusu’s delayed arrival in Washington. They point out that the Diet can be used as an instrument to decide if Japan can afford to fight on five fronts against the striking power and terrific resources of Britain, America, Holland and Russia. If Japan chooses war, strategists direct attention to the fact that thd fronts on which she will have to be prepared to fight are 4000 miles apart—Singapore in the south and Siberia in the north, while most of her army is bogged down in central China. , She cannot expect active naval or military aid from Germany and Italy. It is announced in Singapore that fresh reinforcements of Indian troops arrived there today. A Singapore correspondent states that the stock criticism of Britain, that she always moves too late, cannot be applied to the Far East. He describes the arrival of Canadian troops at Hongkong as “perfect timing.” Comment in London

“If Mr Kurusu’s diplomatic bag contains no better ‘terms’ than General Tojo advanced yesterday, then Mr Kurusu is wasting his time,” said the London Daily Mail in a leader. “General Tojo used strange language on behalf of a Government whose

emissary is supposed to be negotiating. Japan for 10 years has been a trouble-maker in the Far East, and has repeatedly taken advantage of difficulties in the west to over-run neighbouring territories. The Western Powers, whose forbearance has been exemplary, are growing weary

of this large-scale banditry, and the time has come to call a halt to Japan s career of aggression.” RECORD HOPED FOR BRITISH NATIONAL SAVINGS (OiTic:a! Wireless) (Received Nov. 19, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, November 18 Sir Robert Kindersley, president of the National Savings Committee, broadcasting, expressed the hope that by the end of the second campaign year on November 22 £620.000.000 in national savings would be raised by small investors, compared with £475.000.000 in the first campaign year. “The country must pay for the war as we go and our lending must keep in step,” he said.

JAPAN’S DETERMINATION READY FOR EVENTUALITIES STRONG ABUSE OF AMERICA il.mil . rcas .v-.«n— i:\cc. lei. Copyright, (Received Nov. 19, 11.45 p.m.) TOKIO, Nov. 18 4 . e Japanese House ui Representatives passed a resolution supporting the co-prosperity sphere plan. The resolution declared that the greatest obstacle to the settlement of the China affair was the activity of hostile nations, led by the United States, whose inordinate desire for world hegemony was responsible for the present war. ”Tne Japanese believe that there is no chance of rising without fighting this battle through and Japan must strike while the iron is hot,” said the former Minister, Mr Toshio Shimada, speaking in the Diet. “The United States is the root of world upheaval. She is not only exploiting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, but is interfering in Thailand’s domestic administration and exerting pressure on Burma for the stoppage of vital materials to Japan. “The United States is threatening Japan with strengthened Pacific bases and is participating, despite the Monroe Doctrine, in the European struggle by aiding Britain. On the occasion of Prince Konoye’s message to Mr Roosevelt the Government explained that its purpose was to locate the cancer in JapaneseAmerican relations. It is clear that the cancer is present in the United States leaders. It is absolutely necessary for us to make a big incision in that cancer.”

Japan's Fixed Policy Replying to Mr Shimada, the Premier, General Tojo, said: “The Government has completed all the necessary preparation, anticipated all the possible obstacles, and left nothing to be desired in the way of the execution of Japan’s fixed national policy. The Government is firmly determined to defend its national existence, but all responsibility rests with you 100,000.000 people, for which reason 1 am reassured to know that the people are fully prepared to meet the situation. lam confident t lat Japan will surmount the many difficulties facing her with the firmest determination.” The Foreign Minister, General Tcgo, said Mr Kurusu carried no new instructions, but hj intimated that the mission’s outcome would determine Japan’s interpretation of her Axis alliance obligations. The Diet lost no time in passing the military budget of 3,300,000,000 yen. Army and Navy Ready The 'Tokio correspondent of the American Press states that General Tojo declared today that the Japanese army is prepared for any eventuality. Admiral Shimada announced that the navy has completed all necessary preparations. Tension With Thailand Considerable tension is reported between Indo-Ciiina and Thailand as a result of a border incident in which an Indo-Chinese policeman was killed and another injured. Japanese troops are said to be moving toward the Thai border. The Japanese Diet yesterday passed a supplementary Budget of £380,000,000 for military purposes. Japan is reported to have demanded facilities in Indo-China for 50,000 more troops. The treaty with IndoChina stiuplated a garrison of only 45.000 tn

| Major-General Gordon Bennett, j Commander of the Australian Forces j in Malaya, has left for the Middle East. { Far Eastern observers, says a mesj sage from Manila, believe that the meeting of the Japanese Diet will either be the usual “rubber stamp” session or will be used as an instrument to inflame the Japanese Empire into war. It may serve the purpose of Japan's rulers to have picked members fulminate against Britain and America. Such fulminations might i have two purposes—first, to influence the result of Mr Kurusu’s mission to Washington, and secondly to prepare the population for the worst if General Tojo is planning for war. i “ NOTHING TO REPORT ” NO RAIDS IN BRITAIN romrrat Wlrelens) (Received Nov. 19, Noon.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 Regarding air activity over Britain an official communique states that 1 there was nothing to report during j daylight.