1941-02-22 — Page 1

"Hongkong Daily Press," Feb. 22, 1941.

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HONGKONG, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1941.

AUSTRALIA WILL JUSTIFY HER RESPONSIBILITY TO

VIGILANCE

ON JAPAN JUSTIFIED

SINGAPORE-MR. MENZIES FAR EAST EVENTS

Interview In London: Proud Of Country's War Effort

"PRUDENT POLICY OF PREPARING TO DEFEND OURSELVES AS WE UNQUESTIONABLY SHALL"

"SINGAPORE, IN OUR VIEW, IS ONE OF THE OUTPOSTS OF AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCES AND THE SENDING OF OUR FORCES TO THAT POINT IS NOT AN EX- PRESSION OF THEIR FEARS, BUT A MERE EXPRESSION OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SINGAPORE—A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH WE INTEND TO JUSTIFY," said MR. R. G. MENZIES, the AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, in the course of a broadcast interview after his arrival in LONDON yesterday.

Asked how he had enjoyed his trip, Mr. Menzies replied that he had enjoyed it very much. He had done 21,000 miles of flying in less than one month.

Questioned on his impressions of the Australian troops in North Africa, Mr. Men- zies said: "THEY ARE IN_MAGNIFICENT FETTLE. THEY ARE TIRED, BUT CHEER- FUL.

"I did 3,600 miles from Benghazi to Jerusalem in a little over 24 hours flying," continued Mr. Menzies. It was an experience I never had before."

Could Anyone Suppose

In answer to a question as to his mission in Britain, Mr. Menzies said: "My mission is to exchange ideas with the

Japanese Would Attack British Government and to

Singapore?-Spokesman

anese would attack Singapore.

CONTRADICTORY "Events in the Far East are most contradictory-part of It is making the impending crisis nearer, while a part of It is making it appear that it has relaxed", said SIR FRED- BRICK WHITE, E. C. S. I, former Political Adviser to the Chinese Nations) Government, when he broadcast from Lan- don yesterday.

LATEST NEWS

"The latest news refers to the

strengthening of Singapore whole there are stories of Japanese naval movements in the South China Seas. The United States too have taken steps to increase her de- fence positions in the Pacific,

'Lately, Mr. Matsuoka offered to mediate in the war and at the same time, our military movements and defensive steps are precau- tionary.

"The Japanese movement of troops, which preceded ours may mean anything. They justify vigilance and the Jap- anese statements fall some- where between these two deve- lopments.

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Japan Far Eastern Understudy To

Villain Of Piece

In The World

Drama: Curious Balkans Development

Matsuoka Again Singing

With Two Voices-Steed

"What Japan will do I cannot foretell-Japan is a pawn in Herr Hitler's game an actor in the world drama, the Far Eastern understudy to the villain of the piece,” said MR. H. WICKHAM STEED, the author-journalist and well-known authority on international affairs, when he broadcast from London yesterday,

"I said last week," declared Mr. Steed in opening his talk, "that the main scene of scenes of the world drama of this war had suddenly shifted from Africa to the Balkans and the Far East. These scenes have changed and in each of them the plot is thickening.

"As my part is to deal with and Greece if Greece was attack- what is happening as aed through Bulgaria. dramatic critic of the play, I "I would not wish to take a will deal today with the cast chance that Bulgaria will with- stand German pressure," said Mr. and see how the plot is likely steed, "but I think Yugoslavia will to work out."..

be less amenable to threats from

It is now two weeks since Mr. Steed. said that the most Berlin. curious development in the Bal-the Prime Minister and Foreign kans was that Türkey and Bul-Minister of Yugoslavia saw Herr at Berchtesgaden and garla had concluded an agreement Hitler

RACING POSTPONED

Today's race (Third Day)

meeting postponed

·from Wednesday has again been postponed this time to Monday when the first saddling bell will be at 11 a.m., and the first race at 11.30 a.m.

The Fourth Day's Races will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, commencing at 11.30 am., while the Off- Day will be on Saturday, March 1, as at present arranged.

Greece Asks America For Planes

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 (Reuter)-

on several .polats. According to though there are many rumours the terms, the two Governments of German offers to Yugoslavia SIGNIFICANT FACT were inspired by the most friendly there is no sign that Yugoslavia Greece has made a further appeal for help to the United States. intentions towards each other for has accepted them and no sign of And ways and means of com- The fact that Japanese state- maintaining, good and neighbour any change in Yugoslavia's poll-particularly in planes, it is learned

from Washington. Im-relations. If Cerdanya noteichals, e reguit » have pleting our co-operation for ments are supletimes not

con- concentrated troops in Rumania DEMOCRATIC FOLK

started a fresh canvass of avail- winning the war. I bring moderate and sometimes

tradictory is significant. It is and if she had not effected Infill- from Australia and her armed interesting to note here that thetration into Bulgaria. this agree-Yugoslavian

Mr. Steed said that the presentable supplies..

Government was TOKYO, Feb. 21 (Reuter)-When the Foreign Office spokesman, forces a message of admira- Japanese offer of mediation was ment would have been a milk and strongly opposed to any acqules hopeful of inducing Britain and It is sald here the Greeks are Mr. Ishil, was asked at the Press conference for comment on the tion to the people in Britain made by the German and Italian water affair. assertion by American Congressmen that the United States would

cence to the German demands.the United States. army and navy "Even now it is a milk and The Yugoslavs were a democratic to maive the priority rights an attack Japan if the latter attacked Singapore, he turned the tables and I can take back with me wireless. on bis questioner by asking if anyone could suppose that the Jap-the inspiration of the spirit of| "The Germans say that it was water affair," said Mr. Steed, "and

some warplanes nearing comple- tion. the people of this country."only a desire, but not an offer. the significant thing is that it was He was also queried about the Replying to a comment that the The Italians said that the Italians published in newspapers in Sofia. statement that the British Ad- British people were much impress were in a position to appreciate Ankara, Belgrade and in Berlin. miralty had warned Japan that ed by the way in which Australia the Japanese offer, but soon after Turkey seems quite pleased about the United States would act if was carrying out her war effort.wards the Rome radio dropped this it and the Greeks look upon it as

Mr. Menzies said: "I am glad to interpretation and fell into line a good thing.

{ To this, Mr. Ishli replied that near that, because really I am with Berlin.

KNEW ALL ABOUT IT Japan expects no warning from proud of the war effort of Aus- "These differences may be taken

"In London, everybody is asking the British Admiralty nor should tralla and I don't say that just be to show that Signor Mussolini whether our Government and our Japan, be warned by it.

cause I am feeling confident about in a predicament and Herr Hitler British Staff officers in Turkey had NOMURA'S VIEW

it. I am confident that in the is not at least, not yet. They been kept in the dark or whether Adintral Nomura, the new Jap next year it will be three times as also show that neither Berlin nor they knew all about it before hand. anese Ambassador to the United good as it is now."

Rome' was informed particularly The answer was quickly given-our States, stated that he did not

of what Japan intends to do or people knew all about it. think that war would break out between

Mr. Steed declared that what his country

can do. and "the United States, says a Saigon més-

"The lack of precise information the agreement really meant was may be due to some uncertainty that Turkey did not mean to at- sage.

1 Tokyo Itself," concluded Bir tack Bulgaria, but it would not Frederick

close co-operation between Turkey

TIME FOR REVIEW OF Singapore were attacked.

SITUATION

SIR JOHN DILL

He admitted, however, that re- Intions between America and Japan were not as good as he. thought when he left Tokyo.

Admiral Nomura refused to reply when he was asked whe- ther Japan considered the possibility of using force against the Malay States.

British The

Government started negotiations with American Government to prevent

has

the

the Japanese from obtaining ma

Referring to the arrival of Mr. terials which might be used

Anthony Eden. Foreign Secretary against the democracy. It was

Asked whether he would like to send a message from England to his homeland, Mr. Menzies said:

Great What-

"Yes I would like to say this to them and that is that I feel that there is a real value in a Prime Minister of the Dominions coming to Britain at this time. ever I have to say to the peo- ple of Great Britain only ex- presses the loyalty and support which I know I can say. not behalf of my own only on country but on behalf of every other country in the Empire." -(Special)

PRUDENT POLICY

FAR BETTER TO BE

OVER-PREPARED

THAN CAUGHT NAPPING

"IT IS FAR BETTER TO BE OVER-PREPARED THAN TO BE Mr. Menzies told Reuter, "I wish CAUGHT NAPPING," said MR. A. W. FADDEN, the Acting Prime

and General Sir John Dill, Chief added that this move was not to make it clear that we pursue Minister of Australia, when he commented yesterday on the latest of the Imperial General Staff, in made in any provocative attitude no polley of aggression in relation developments in the international situation with special reference to Cairo for consultation with mill-towards Japan.-(Special).

tary leaders of the Middle East

and for the purpose of reviewing the political situation there, a military spokesman stated that the time has clearly arrived for a review of the situation in that re- gion, states a London message.

The spokesman added that it was natural that Mr. Eden should be selected for a task which would be of greatest use to the War Cabinet in obtaining first band information.-(Special)

WEEK'S RAINFALL

The rainfall for the 24 hours ended midnight last night was 0.315 inch, while the total for the past week, from Feb. 15 to 21, in- clusive, was, 2.86 inches.

The heaviest fall was on Tues- day (Derby Day) "when 1.34 inches rain fell on was recorded. No

Bimday, Feb. 10,

Detalled figures are as follows:- Feb. 15, 0.510 inch, 16, 0.000, 17, 0.015, 18, 1.340, 19, 0.015, 20, 0.065, 21, 0.315.

-On Other- Pages

Page

2-Senior Shield soccer; Army "snooker; Softball notes:

Chess championship. 3-Radio programmes; Com

ing events... 4Unity of Imperial forces; Japan's wat of nerves; Turkish Press "and Ankara pact; Bulgarian peace po-

national licy: U.S.

de- fence. 5-Criminal Sessions; Round

the Police Courta. 6-Leading article; The Im-

migration Scandal, 8-Catholic news and notes;

Fanling golf; Church ser vices; Rifle Association meeting: ARP, Press, con- ference.

10

9-10 Finance & commerce. 11-Volunteer Orders.

i$

POSITIONS OCCUPIED LONDON, Feb. 21 (British Wire- less)-A Greek Headquarters com- munique states: "Strong enemy positions have been occupied. More. than 200 prisoners, including some officers, were captured and many automatic arms and material fell into our hands,"

what is certain is that Turkey and Greece will get all the help that Britain can give them,

STILL PLAINER

"The arrival of Mr. Anthony Eden and General Sir John Dil at Cairo makes it still.plainer. They are no strangers to that place and they will put their heads together with General Waveli who was re- folk and they were under no illu-cently in Athens. Like Mr. Men- sions as to what was at stake in zies, who is now in England, Mr. the present crisis. They under-Eden and General Dill will help to stood that I consent was given. co-ordinate the policy and strate- Yugoslavia would be isolated and gy to put a spoke in Herr Hitler's almost helpless.

wheel

were Mr. Steed said there two possible routes which Ger- wan Army, marching against Greece, could take and if the Germans could pass along these routes to Salonika they might gain a strong position in the Balkans and drive a wedge against Turkey and Greece.

"Hery Hitler's policy is to put a mustard-plaster on the back of the Greeks before they can drive the Italians out of Albania," de- clared Mr. Steed. "Herr Hitler is playing for high stakes. We know it as well as he does. And thanks to the alliance we have with Greece and Turkey we are not-too badly placed to see that he does

These stakes are so Cont'd Page 7, Col. 3

to our local defence forces, but a Australla's position in the Far East, states a message from Sydney.

"The possibility of an attack on ney

the message, prudent policy of preparing to de-"

opinion fend ourselves as we unquestion- Australia is real and serious and expressed there that Japanese di- ably shall in all areas where there Australia must remember the cir-plomatic circles do not agree with are elements of danger In 1941 cumstances under which the nther the Japanese military chicis that "It is not certain." sald Mr.not pocket his stakes without which did not exist in 1940.

the situation is serious and they steed, "that the Turks will let the more ado, democracies had fought." "That statement is in no way

Mr. Fadder was speaking at a prefer to view the position opti-Germans have their own way, but provocative. We are hoping as we civic reception in Sydney and add-mistically.-(Special) are believing, that peace will be ed that as a result of these deve- kept but nobody must think that,lopments, Australia's local defences remote as we are, are unwilling or had been built up to a point in ex-Members of all parties in the SYDNEY, Feb. 21 (Reuter)— bicapable of defending ourselves."cess of the maximum necessary.

Commonwealth House of Repre- The British Empire, Mr. Menzies į continued, had undertaken a joint That applied with particular sentatives support the suggestion enterprise which was best con- truth to the industrial side of Aus-first made a week ago that Mr. ducted with as much personal con-tralia's defence and Australians Wendell Willkie should be invited

to visit Australia. tact as possible, hence his visit to would never be found wanting. Britain,

Mr. Fadden may bring the mat-

PREVENT AGGRAVATION

WILLKIE'S VISIT

There was the possibility that he The Sydney message also added ter before the Federal Cabinet next would return via the United States, that the Japanese Vice-Minister week.

he added,

[for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ohashi, ITALIAN PUZZLE

| had" emphasised during this, talks Referring to the Italian defeats with Sir John Latham, Australian in Libya, Mr. Menzies said he was Minister to Tokyo, the need for puzzled to reconcile the Italian Australian collaboration with expenditure of much time, money Japan to prevent any aggravation and skin in that country with their of the situation reluctance to defend it

Cont'd Page: 7, Col. 1

MR. HOPKINS

WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Reuter) Mr. Harry Hopkins, who visited Britain as President Roosevelt's personal envoy,is, appointed a "Meanwhile, according to a report member of the United States pro- from Moscow, quoted in the Byd-duction planning board..

Today's News Summary

REFERRING TO AIR preparations, Mr. Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, in an interview in London, stated that under the Empire Air Training Scheme now operating Australla would produce by next year 26,000 pilots, gunners and observers. Mr. Menzies travelled 21,000 miles by air in just under a month. Australia's, one "aim was to maintain peace in the Pacific.

THE BRITISH FOREIGN Secrétary and the Chief of the Imperi- al General Staff, Gen. Biz John Dill, are now in Cairo for discussions. on the Middle East situation following the capture of Benghazi.

GREECE HAS APPEALED to America for ald, particularly planes, and officials have, it is reported, already begun a canvass of supplies in this direction. ›

THE FAR EAST SITUATION was discussed by a Japanese spokesman who when questioned concerning a comment in the Uni- ted States replied by asking the question: could anyone suppose Japan would attack Bingapore?