Japanese Bellicose Bluff
LABOUR CORPS
Not At All Anxious CHINESE
To Force Issue With United States
DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IN WASHINGTON
Great diplomatic activi-
ty centring on the situa tion in the Far East was noted in Washington yes- terday.
First Lord Lothian, the Bri- tish Ambassador, had a talk with Mr. Cordell Hull at the
DESPITE THE,BELLICOSE TONE IMPUT- ED TO OFFICIAL JAPANESE STATEMENTS ON THE AXIS-TOKYO ALLIANCE, JAPAN'S GREATEST HOPE IS THE AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT WITH THE UNITED STATES, AC- CORDING TO OFFICIAL SOURCES.
a
The pact has been "sold" to the public as pact for peace. Meanwhile it is emphasis ed that Japan is technically committed to fight should the United States enter the war against the Axis.
In other words, the hope is that the United State Department, but afterwards States will be immobilised both in Europe and the Ambassador declined to say whether the re-opening of the Burma Road was among the topics raised.
Then Mr. Sumner Welles re-
the Pacific.
ceived the Ambassador of the ANOTHER EVACUEE
Vichy Government, M. Henry
Haye, while Colonel Knox, the SHIP WANTED · Secretary of the Navy, called in Admiral Richardson, commander, The American Embassy in Lon- in-chief of the United States don reveals that Mr. Joseph Ken- Fleet for what was described as nedy, the Ambassador, cabled a discussion of Toutine Fleet Washington two weeks ago asking matters" which inevitably dealt for a ship to be sent to take with the Pacific.-Reuter.
American citizens home.--Reuter,
MR. CHURCHILL TO MAKE BURMA RD. ANNOUNCEMENT
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
KEEN TO
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 the Far East..
American fur exporters in
"I believe," said Mr. Matsuoka, Tientsin have cabled Washington the situation calls for the two urging every possible assistance countries to cooperate in attain- be afforded as regards the new ing the greater objective by dis- Japanese restrictions "which pelling misunderstunding if only
apiunt to a virtual embargo,”
lions.
Exporters allege the Japanese exists and solving pending ques- The last thing Japan wan's is, are refusing even to inspect mer- to be forced to fulfil her commit- chandise ready for shipment ac- ment. The pact is regarded as cording to Japanese regulations: a contribution to peace insofar as and are insisting that goods be it may restrain the United States, sold to the Japanese below cost from entering the war.
price, amounting to virtual con- Officials first emphasised that fiscation-Router. the Pact was directed against no particular nation.
When the reaction proved contrary to their hopes, the statements of Prince Konoye, Matsuoka and Suma followed, in an attempt to impress the United States with the con- sequences of commitmerita which were inexorable inevitable.
Stalemate Likely? Japanese-American relations,
and
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 pti- pulates that relations between the signatories and the Soviet Union shall be unaffected, Mr. Matsubka added: "It would, however, never be permissible to let Communism ride over Japan, Manchukuo; or China,"
Burma Road
Negotiations are now proceed- ing for the renewal of the Min-. istry of Supply's wolfram- con- tract with Empire producers. Pro- He said the Japanese Govern- ducers are asking for higher prices ment was watching..with interest is thought, are now likely to con- 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 Earma Road us 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 Fact.
The Foreign Office spokesman, Reuter..
-Reuter, Suma, indicated yesterday that the United States is insisting on a settlement of alleged violations of her rights in China prior to negotiations for a general ad- Justment, but that, he said, was obviously difficult during hostili-
MR. CHURCHILL, the Prime Minister, is expected to make a statement shortly on the question of the Burma Road, which has beenties, closed for three months.
Bellicose "Proposals
Japan must retaliate with mill- tary measures if America at-
of
tempts to interfere in the Pacific, oil and scrap iron Japan must
If America bans the export
secure the oil of the East Indies
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-by restoring them as an Asiatic tions. The agreement closes on Friday, Octo-country and acquiring control of ber 18.
their resources, declared Selgo Nakano, head of the former
view.
Japanese sources are taking it opening of the road at the expiry Tohokai Party, in a press inter- for granted that the road will be of the agreement. opened..
а
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. !
and:
He advocated taking over the As British and United States policy in the Far East runs very
Tientein and Shanghai Conces. British much on parallel lines and there alons, requesting the is a continual interchange of evacuation of Hong Kong views between the two govern urged Japaness action to forestall ments, it may be assumed that Joint Anglo-American use of na- Washington has been kept in-val basce by - seizing strategic formed of 'British Intentions points. Reuter.
about the Burma Road.
The Japanese -newspaper "Hochi" even tries to make out that the British Government pro- 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 'enid that the Britain's enemies by the Tripartite "original conditions under which Pact and that the pact was mainly the road was clored have now directed against the United States.. been altered,
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 hor- self with the enemies of Britain In. the pact with the Axis Powers.
In considering what steps should be taken after October 18, the British Government—it was'İcarn ed omcially last night-has been keeping in the closest touch with the United States-Reuter.
Reuter.
MADAME CHIANG REPORTED HERE
Madam Chiang Kai-shek is re- ported to have arrived in ~ Hông? Kong from Chungking last night! on a personal visit.
:
Kung-po, Wang
COST OF LIVING IN Ching-wei's right Hard man, it lo
JAPAN
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
ulso reported to be in the Colony; having arrived a few days ago.
CHENGTU A.R.P.-
BRITISH BEER
IS
BEST
McEwan's
Red Label
SPARKLING BEER
(SPECIAL" TO "CHINA MAIL BREWED & BOTTLED
donc.
The cost of living in Tokyo and Osaka showed a decline in Sep- offering $400 reward to those cx- The Chengtu ··municipality is tember after an upward trend for tinguishing an Incendiary bomb. several months. The Tokyo figure before serious damage is for September was 145.6 against Granting of such rewards is part 100 in July, 1937, showing a drop of a campaign to teach the popula of 2.3 compared with the August on measures of dealing with the figure.
uir dungor. Hayas,
:
Japan Unlikely To Ask For Extension
There is no confirmation of the The decline in the cost of food-: report that Japan is to ask for an stuffs is believed to be the. Arst extension of the agreement, and result of the new official price list. British steel works are recaly- there seems little doubt that the On the other hand rents, heating, hing 1,000 tons of iron w Weck from Prime Minister. will make his lighting und clothing again show-the "Rallings for Scrap" campaign' stament to announce the re-led a rise in September-Huvas: - started five months ago.Router.
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