Evening star., 1941-08-07
Russia to Get 4 u. S. Tonkers;
Assistance to hoiIond Hinges
On American Stand, British Say
Cooperation Must
Be in Strong Terms,
London Implies

3, the Associated Press.
LONDON. Aug. 7.-Britain ex-
poets little Thailand to resist any
japanese invasion, and British
aid in such an event will hinge
on the willingness of the United
States to cooperate in strong
measures, an authoritative
source declared today.
The implication was that the
United States must be willing to CO.
operate in more than an economic
blockade of Japan If Britain is to
give strong backing to Thailand.
That British Imperial forces were
making ready for any Japanese
thrust into Thailand-which might
be either or both threat to Singa-
pore or the Burma road lifeline OF
the Chungking Chinese government
was indicated by Reuters agency
dispatch from Singapore.
Quoting the Singapore Office Of the
Ministry of Information 1t said that
in British Burma, and South China
all preparations are ready to smash
any Japanese attempt to cut the
Burma road or move farther vest
ward"
Policy Of Cooperation.
The British are looking toward a
policy of British American cooper
alton extending beyond diplomatic
and economic measures, applicable
not only to the possible situation of
Thailand but to the entire Far East.
Thailand is in position Of dan
ger" British informant said in an
authoritative world military review.
He added that the nations army
numbers only $4,000 and its equip
ment is limited but its air force
makes up in quality what it lacks
In size"
This source refused fatty to say
that Britain would help Thailand
pinning the answer to that question
on the United States attitude.
In Melbourne, the Australian Navy
Minister, William NJ. Hughes, as.
serted that it was Japan's to decide
whether there was to be peace OF
war in the Pacific.
DO they Cthe Jspanese) think
Australia can look on these move
ments which Japan Is making in
other countries-moveme threat
ening the very foundations of the
empire and Australian interests ir
the Far East-and do nothing?" he
asked.
Airfields Occupied.
Days have passed since 1t was
first reported in London that Japan
with new footholds in Southern
French Indo- China, was demandins
military bases in Thailand alone
with economic concessions.
In today's military review, tn,
London informant said Japan hae
$4,000 troops in Southern Indo.
China and was occupying eighI
Indo- o-Chinese airfields.
The Singapore fortress and naval
base was said to have an air force
superior in quality to any that
Japan could muster and that an at
tack there would tax Japan's aeria
resources to tine utmost.
The British hold that Thailand i!
menaced by either of two courses
open to the Japanese: ID Inflltra-
ton by tourists" along with eco
nomic dominat ton and t2) actual
military invasion, which, if unop.
posed or opposed only by Thailand
might bring the forces of the Rising
Sun to Thailand's frontiers with
Burma and the Malay States.
The Thailand government de-
clared today that the nation was
ready to do business with any ma
ton, but contemplated special treat.
ment for none.
The Thai market will not be
closed to any country and certainly
not to Britain, who will always b,
See ZAP EAST Page A-21O