Japanese Bellicose Bluff Not At All Anxious CHINESE KEEN TO
To Force Issue With United States
TWO JAP.. BOMBERS SHOT DOWN CONFLICT WITH THE UNITED STATES, AC- (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") CORDING TO OFFICIAL SOURCES.
The pact has been "sold" to the public as
DESPITE THE BELLICOSE TONE IMPUT- ED TO OFFICIAL JAPANESE STATEMENTS ON THE AXIS-TOKYO ALLIANCE, JAPAN'S GREATEST HOPE IS THE AVOIDANCE OF
Two Japanese bombers
and
were shot down a pact for peace. Meanwhile it is emphasis- several others damaged ed that Japan is technically committed tǝ over Kunming yesterday fight should the United States enter the war afternoon by Chinese A.A. against the Axis. guns.
The raid alarm was sounded at
11.45 am, and soon afterward 27 Japanese planes were sighted on
the outskirts of the city.
Chinese anti-aircraft batterles opened fire and broke up the formation after bringing down
two machines.
In other words, the hope is that the United States will be immobilised both in Europe and the Pacific.
ANOTHER EVACUEE
LABOUR CORPS
STORY DENIED
Official quarters in London stated: "last" night that there is no truth in the report published in a Japan- ese newspaper that Chinese labourers are to be sent to England. -Reuter.
JAPANESE BRINGING TIENTSIN PRESSURE
American fur exporters. in
PACIFY SOVIET
In a statement yester- day on Soviet-Japanese relations, Mr. Matsuoka said that in the past those relations had been un- pleasant for various rea- sons.
The world revolution, how- ever, did not permit the Soviets, and Japan to wrangle in
Far East.
the
"I believe," said Mr. Matsuoka,
two "
Tientsin have cabled Washington "the situation calls for the be afforded as regards the newing the greater objective by dis-.
urging every possible assistance. countries to cooperate in attain-
Japanese restrictions ""which |pelling misunderstanding. if any amount to a virtual embargo." exists and solving pending.ques-
Exporters allege the Japanese|tions. The last thing Japan wants is are refusing even to inspect mer- to be forced to full her commit-chandise ready for shipment ac- ment. The pact is regarded as cording to Japanese regulations be The invading aircraft were kept
a contribution to peace insofar as and are insisting that goods away from the city by the A.A.
it may restrain the United States sold to the Japanese below cost batteries and returned to their The American Embassy in Lon-from entering the war.
price, amounting to virtual .con- base after dropping bombs on the don reveals that Mr. Joseph Ken- Officials first emphasised that fiscation-Reuter. outskirts and machine-gunning nedy, the Ambassador, cabled the Pact was directed against nu villagers. The "all clear" was Washington two weeks ago asking particular nation.. sounded at 2 p.m.-Our Own Cor- for a ship to be scnt to take respondent.
American citizens home.-Router.
SHIP WANTED
MR. CHURCHILL
When the reaction proved contrary to their hopes, the statements of Prince Konoys, Matsuoka and Buma followed, in an attempt to impress the United States with the sequences of commitments which were Inexorable and inevitable...
Stalemate Likely?
con-
WOLFRAM CONTRACT
"Nothing would delight other parts of the world better than a dispute between Japan and the Soviet Union at this junc- ture, which would result in pull- ing chestnuts out of the fire for .others."
After referring to that part of the Axis-Tokyo Pact which sti- pulates that relations between the signatories and the Soviet Union shall be unaffected, Mr. Matsuoka added: "It would, however, never! be permissible to let Communism. ride over Japan, Manchukuo China,"
Burma Road
ог
THI MAKF BIRMA Kis thought, are now likely to con- but there asking for higher prices menter Bring with interest.
ANNOUNCEMENT
MR. CHURCHILL, the Prime Minister, is expected to make a statement shortly on the question of the Burma Road, which has been closed for three months.
Negotiations are now proceed- ing for the renewal of the Min- istry of Supply's wolfram cón- l. tract with Empire producers, Pro- He said the Japanese Govern-
but the trade considers that: the whether Britain would re-open; tinue at a stalemate indefinitely, present price of 50/- F.O.B. is the Burma Road as this would be. lacking a suitable opening for reasonable since it relieves the the gauge of the British attitude to either side to take the initiative, producer from all shipping risks. Japan following the Berlin Paet..
The Foreign Cfice spokesman, -Reuter.
-Reuter. Suma indicated yesterday that the United States is insisting on a settlement of alleged violations
negotiations for a general
--to- ad-
of her rights in China prior justment, but that, he said, was ties.
obviously difficult during hostili-
Bellicose Proposals
Japan must retaliate with mill- if America -at- tary measures
tempts to interfere in the Pacific. If America bans the export oil and scrap iron Japan
of
The road was closed under an agreement with the Japanese Government last July which provided that efforts should be made towards a general settlement of the Far East ques-secure the oil of the East Indies tions. The agreement closes on Friday, Octo- ber 18.
Japanese sources are taking it for, granted that the road will be openeä.
a
The Tokyo Radio,, in an English broadcast yesterday, quoted Japanese paper as saying that if the Burma Road is opened it will be bombed, because it would be "a direct challenge" to Japan.
Japanese The
newspaper "Hochi" even tries to make out that the British Government ́ pro-
must
restoring them as an Asiatic
country and acquiring.control of their resources, declared Seigo Nakano, head of the former opening of the road at the expiry Tohokai Party; in a press inter- of the agreement.
view.
As 'British and United States "He advocated taking "over the policy in the Far East runs-very Tienteln and Shanghai Concos. much on parallel lines and'there alona, requesting the British is a continual Interchange of evacuation of Hong "Kong and views between the two govern. urged Japaness action to forestall ments, it may be assumed that joint. Anglo-American use of na- strategic Washington has been kept inval bases by seizing formed of British intentions points-Reuter.. about the Burma Road.
In the examination in London
mised to close the road indefinite-of the course to be pursued when
ly and unconditionally-needless the present agreement expires, it
to say, this is entirely untrue. has had to be borne in mind that Authoritative circles in Lon. Japan has become associated with don, last night rald that the Britain's enemics by the Tripartite original conditions under which Pact and that the pact was mainly "the road wre cloned have now directed against the United States,
been altered.
-Reuter.
No progress has been made to- wards a general settlement; the Japanese have moved troops into Indo-China with the object of making further attacks on China; and Japan has now associated her.. self with the enemies of Britain in the pact with the Axis Powers.
In considering what stops should be taken after October 18, the
TRADE UNIONS
BRITISH BEER
IS
BEST
McEwan's
Red Label
AND THE WAR SPARKLING
When the annual-con- ference of British - Trade
AMERICANS IN THE Unions opened at Stock-
BRITISH FORCES
port yesterday one resolu tion emphasised the
BEER
SO MANY AMERICANS HAVE Unions' resolve to con- BREWED & BOTTLED
British Government-it was learn-JOINED THE BRITISH FORCES tinue the war effort, ed officially last night-has been THAT A CLUB CALLED THE keeping in the closest touch with "AMERICAN EAGLE CLUB" IS the United States.-Neuter.
Japan Unlikely To Ask For Extension
TO BE OPENED FOR THEM IN LONDON, `....
Since the middle of August. 6,000 New Yorkers have given 6,900 pints of their blood for Brit ain-Reuter,
MORE DESTROYERS
The president called on the British Government for sterner. measures against profiteering, which he compared with looting.
The president said they wanted. to make it impossible for anyone to emerge from the war flcher than when he entered it. Reuter,
There is no confirmation of the roport that Japan is to ask for an extension of the agreement, and "The third batch of the 50 des- British steel works are receiv- there seems little doubt that the troyers given-lo Britain bything:1;000 tons of iron a week from
Primé › Minister will make his United States has now arrived at the "Reilings for Scrap": cumpalgo. statement to announce the re-an East Canadian port. Reuter, starled five months ago.-Reuter.
IN EDINBURGH
SOLE AGENTS
DODWELL & CO., LTD.
QUERE'S "BUILDING