Evening star., 1941-08-05
Bangkok Anxious to
Learn of Americas
Plans in Crisis
NJ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
MANILA, P. l., Aug. 5.-Brlt-
aims state of military prepared
ness in and about Malaga
reached a new high today and
the belief grew in informed cir
cles that the British are making
preparationS for swift moves to
control the key points OF Thai
land, possibly in advance of
open japanese encroachment.
Large reinforcements of British
Imperial and Indian troops reached
Singapore, with R. A. F. personnel,
even while dispatches from Bangkok
itself acknowledged that Thailand
was facing a momentouS decision IN
her relations with Japan, Britain
and the United States.
Thai officials would not deny that
Japan is applying pressure for the
granting of certain demands; indeed,
TOXIC already was broadcasting a
Bangkok dispatch to the effect that
the Thailanders had recognized
Manchukuo, Japan's puppet empire,
thus acceding to Japan on what had
been regarded as a test issue.
Wants to Know U. S. Plans.
The Thailand dispatches, although
somewhat delayed, indicated, how
ever, that this Japanese announce
ment might be premature, and there
were clear hints that Thailand was
anxious to know more about the
immediate plans of Britain and the
United States, particularly the latter
Persons who have been in touch
with British military men in key
places in the Orient believed the
British had made emergency plans
to seize control of Bangkok and the
Kra Isthmus ports, moving probably
from the Western Burma border.
The R. A. F. has reinforced its
Burma bases for flank protection
against any airports which Japan
may establish in Thailand; picked
Australians and the cream of the
India regiments have been moved
by the thousands to the Thailand
Malayan border, equipped with
tanks, heavy artillery and special
weapons for jungle warfare.
Army Reported on Border.
Saigon, main base of the great
japanese military movement into
Indo-C China, also heard reports that
q well-eouipped Chinese Army is on
the Burma border, ready to cross
at a moments notice to Join the
British in any action which may
be decided on by the British Far
Eastern command at Singapore.
Just as the British believe that
any Japanese move toward Bangkok
or the Kra Isthmus would directly
menace Singapore. so the Chinese
believe that the japanese military
move through Indo-China imperils
the Burma road, their supply life
line in China.
Everywhere it was agreed that
T'hailand was the key to the explo-
sive situation; that it might become
the Poland or the Syria of the Far
East.
Japan Believed Determined.
Despite the explicit economic
warnings which the United States
end Great Britain have delivered
to Japan in the form of freezing of
assets and fuel embargoes, informed
sources here believe Japan is de-
ternined on the plunge.
On the other hand, Britain backed
by the United States. is represented
IN many quarters as determined to
halt the Japanese advance at long
last, and convinced now that a mill
tary move is the only effective
means.
It is contended that during last
February's crisis, when Japan was
imposing her peace terms on French
tndo-China and Thailand, Toxic de-
manded rights to use Singora Bay.
on the east side of the Kra Isthmus.
about 400 miles north of Singapore.
At that time. it is said, japanese
pressure on Thailand was halted
only by the quick dispatch of Brit
i5h reinforcements TO the Malaga
Tnalland border.
Whether Britain now could stop
Japan by cutting off the Kra 18th
mus by military measures is a mat
(See THAILAND, Page ABB