The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-06
The A.R.c.p. FRONT

In spite Of all the talk about the
United States having abandoned
virtually all hope OF reaching any
understanding with Japan. there is
still the possibility that war will
be averted. II is good business Of
course TO discuss with the other
members OF the ABCD united front,
(America. British. Chinese. Dutch)
plans for concerted action to be
taken II Nippon forces invade
Thailand or attempt to cut the
Burma Road, but those plans may
not be put into effect. The mere
fact that united action Is promised
will help to delay 1t.
A japanese move into Thailand
might result In state OF unde-
clared war between the western
powers and the Nippon empire In
the Far East. In that event Brit
ain promises use Of empire forces
in British Malaga to check Jap
anese attacks.
Plans also are being discussed
for an Anglo-American aerial con-
voy system to protect the Burma
Road II Japan launches q serious
aerial attack on that lifeline for
American aid to China.
Details of this convoy system are
being kept secret, but II is be-
lieved the conveying may be start
ed by American aviators who were
temporarily relieved from active
duty with the U. s. Army air
force ito volunteer" for service
IN China.
Nearly 100 Of these filters are
said to be standing by in Chung
king ready to patrol the Burma
Road in American-made fighting
planes.
II Japan makes serious attempt
to cut the road these American
ayiators can be REINFORCED with
additional volunteers" from both
American and British regular
forces stationed in the Far East.
Plans for defending the Burma
Road and counteracting a Japan
ese move on Thailand have been
the subjects of almost daily con-
sultation between the American
government and the diplomatic
representatives Of the other ABCD
powers during the past week.
British Ambassador Lord Hal
flax visited the State Department
four times within three days to
consult with Secretary OF State
Hull and Undersecretary Sumner
Welles on these plans.
DR.. A. Loudon, the Netherlands
minister and Richard G.. Casey,
Australian minister, also have con-
ferred with Hull and his associates.
Gen. Chang Kai.Shek is reported
to have assured the United States
that his armies will launch an i'm
mediate offensive against the jap
anese forces in southern China II
the western powers resist Nip
pom move against Thailand or the
Burma Road.
Meanwhile, diplomatic advices
indicate that Tokyo is striving to
persuade Thailand to grant Japan
strategic bases so that the Jap
anese forces can start moving into
that country with the consent Of
the Bangkok government.
At the same time, there are
daily reports OF the continued
massing of Japanese forces in
French Indo-China.
Reliable reports have also been
received of an internal and politi-
cal crisis In Tokyo. but the extent
Of 1t is not definitely known. 1t
is assumed that the more conser-
vative elements have been trying
to restrain the military extremists,
but there is no way OF knowing
how successful their attempt will
be.
While 1t is possible that Tokyo
will postpone the move into Thai
land for the time being Japan will
be slow to abandon the policy OF
aggressive expansion in the Far
East. That policy will continue TO
make trouble.