Evening star., 1941-07-23

At a meeting of the Senate De
fense Investigating Committee, Sen
ator Mead, Democrat, of New Yorl
commented that he had read of re
cent shipments of oil to Japan ever
though there had been discussion
Of curtailing the oil supply in th'
East.
IF the Japs don't get oil from
us where are they going to get it?
Senator Connally asked.
Answering his own question, III
told Senator Mead:
They are going to get it from
the Dutch East Indies. If you wan
them to move in and take the Dutcf
East Indies that's a good way to get
them to do it-shut off their supply.
Threat to Singapore SEEN.
Some Far Eastern experts eX-
pressed the view today that under
lying Japan's reported new demands
on ndo-China was Toxic determi-
nation to place Japanese forces in
easy striking distance of the rich
Netherlands Indies and Britain's
strategic Singapore naval base.
These authorities, refusing TO be
quoted by name, said the demands
undoubtedly called for virtual Japa-
neSe domination of Frances Fal
Eastern possession. Should 'Vichy
fail to capitulate quickly, they add
ed. the japanese could be expected
to open an immediate offensive
against Indo-China in anticipa-
ton of speedy conquest.
What steps the Government con-
templated in view of developments
however, we're not disclosed. al
though several possibilities were be-
ieved to be under consideration
These, well-informed persons be-
lieved, included:
l. Action under the Neutrality Act
to forbid American ships and citi-
ZenS from venturing into any new
combat zone delineated by the Pres
| ident.
>. Extension of export control re-
strictions which would stop ship
ments of oil-vitally necessary tc
Japan's war machine and indus
tries-and other essential goods and
supplies to Japan.
3. Adoption of additional pre-
cautionary measures at United
States Pacific outposts because OF
the proximity of Indo-China to the
Philippines.
British Will Cooperate.
Because of the we'll established
policy in such matters it appeared
to be a foregone conclusion that
what tever action was taken would be
with the full knowledge and CO.
onration OF the British, whose vital
| interests in the Far Pacific closely
parallel those of this country.
In fact, in London Vernon Bart
lett. an independent member of
! Parliament. said in a signed article
! in the News Chronicle that he be-
lieved British American discussion
! already had ended in complete
agreement as to steps to be taken
| should Japan move southwark.
Indo-C China. cut off from France
by the war. would be able to put up
only feeble resistance TO a large
scale Japanese invasion, according
to military experts. even II the
Vichy government supported its Far
Eastern colony.
But in view of defeated Frances S
collaboration with Germany and the
Nazis' previous willingness to give
japan a free hand in Indo-Chlna,
| there was little expectation here
| that the Vichy government would
be able to provide material as
! siStance.
Japan's Invasion Goals.
Invasion of Indo-Chna. in an
ticipation of speedy victory, would
provide the japanese with:
l. A stepping stone for Japans
long dreamed expansion southwark
with air and naval bases within 500
miles OF Singapore. guardian OF
British and Dutch possessions in the
| South Pacific.
2. A relatively cheap victory foi
the war-weary people of Japan, and
ample stores of foodstuffs, particu-
larlv rice, to offset the shortages
which have put the nation on re-
duced rations.
| g. Badly needed raw materials for
| the industries of Japan.
4. An impeachment to American
assistance to China and deployment
/ of japanese forces in strength for
an attempt to cut the Burma road,
one of Chinas last remaining supply
! lines
s. A diversion which japanese
and Germans might hope would in
sure the United States Fleet being
| kept in the Pacific.
s. An extended area of action for
/ Japans greater East Asia co-pros-
| perity sphere the declared objec-
tive of which Is the establishment
OF an independent and self-suffi-
cient economic bloc comprising an
extensive stretch of territory in the
Far East to be dominated by the
Japanese.
Would Keep Axis Ties.
BY moving into Indo-China the
Japanese would also retain, it was
said. both its Axis obligations with
Germany and Italy. and the re-
Gently signed neutrality pact with
Soviet Russia, pending develop
mentS in the RuSSo-German and
Anglo-German wars.
The tri-partite pact pledges Ger
many, Italy and Japan TO CO.
operate in regard to their respec-
tive ambitions in Asia, as well as
in Europe.
Premier Prince Fumimaro Ko-
noye's totalitarian minded govern
ment has carried out vigorous
policy of expansion in East Asia
since the start of the European
war, obtaining army and air bases
in Northern Indo-China and eco
| nomic concessions by an agreement
| signed last September and extend
ing influence over Thailand Siam
Indo-China neighbor. military
step closer to Singapore.
An important aspect of Japan's
demands on Indo-China was en-