Evening star., 1941-08-17
Diplomats Doubt
Japan Will Force
Extension Of War
, Action Against ThoiIond
Or Attack on Siberia
Believed ForestuIled
BY LLOYD LEHRBRAS,
Associated Press stan Writer.

Belief grew in informed diplomatic
quarters last night that Japan would
not force an extension Of the Euro
pean war into the Pacific by mill
tary action against Thailand or an
attack on Siberia.
At the same time, events were
regarded as pushing the Toxic gov
ernment to an early decision for
war or peace and one authority on
the Far East predicted show
down within 10 days.
Peace could be maintained, it was
said, II Japan would halt her south
eastward expansion and maintain
the status quo. But If Japan invades
Thailand, gateway to Singapore and
the rich Dutch and British oil, rub
ber and tin territories beyond, or
Siberia, it was predicted the Far
East would burst into war from
Vladivostok to Australia.
Complete Agreement.
Among developments believed CIV
ing Japan reason to pause were the
conferences of President Roosevelt
and Prime Minister Churchill-au-
thoritatively reported to have in
cluded discussions of Japan's threat
to American, British, Dutch and
Russian interests in the Pacific even
though that subject was not men
toned in their official joint state
ment.
President Roosevelt told newspa-
permen on landing at Rockland Me.
yesterday that he and Mr.. Churchill
were in complete agreement on all
aspects of the war situation, but
that he did not think that the
United States was any closer to en-
tering the conflict because of their
unprecedented conferences on the
high seas.
In informed quarters that state
fnent was interpreted as meaning
the President believed the unmis-
taxable warnings given Japan would
cause the Toxic government to re-
consider its policy of armed expan-
sion and thereby avoid a show
down.
Moderating Influences.
Other factors believed exerting
major influence on Japan's decision
are:
l. The forthcoming tri-power con-
ference at Moscow, primarily for dis
cussion of war supplies, but affording
possibilities for talks and agreements
on actual military movements if
forced by any belligerent moves by
Japan.
dispatches from London said the
United States and Britain were re-
ported authoritatively to have won
a Russian promise of active partici-
patton in stop Japan" movement
in return for increased aid to Mos
cow
2. The American-Brit pledge Of
all possible assistance to Soviet Rus
sia, backed up by revelation that
many shiploads" of war supplies
including planes and aviation fuel
have already been shipped and more
will soon be on the way to
Vladivostok.
8. Stiffening resistance in Thai
land to Japan's demands.
China Stronger.
4. China,s increasing effective
ness in actual war operations
against Japan as the result Of ex-
panded and speeded-up deliveries
of American planes and war sup
plies.
5. Continued strengthening of
British forces in Malaga and Burma
countering the massing of Japanese
troops in adjoining French Indo-
China.
6. Further tightening of economic
sanctions against Japan by the
United States, Britain and the
Dutch East Indies, leaving the
japanese army and navy dependent
only on boarded war stocks, and
without immediate hope Of re-
plenishment.
Secretary of State Hull limited
guardedly yesterday at possible ac-
ton by the United States to coun-
ter Japan's belligerent moves
which imperil American interests
and territories in their path-when
asked for comment on British re-
ports that the United States would
henceforth play the role of guardian
in the Pacific.
That question, the Secretary said,
was one he would have to take up
later.