Evening star., 1941-08-07
Japan S Moves Seen
As Part Of Axis Bid
To Control Oceans
U. 5. Believes Toxic
Working With Berlin
To Isolate Americas
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS,
Associated Press Staff Writer,

The United States Government, it
was learned today believes that
Japan's pressure bid for control of
Thailand is part of well-patterned
Axis plal to seize control of the
oceans and thereby dominate the
world.
The latest Japanese moves were
described as dovetailing perfectly
with Germanys demands on Vichy
for military and naval bases in
French colonial possessions, partic-
ularly at Dakar.
All evidence available. an informed
source stated, points to co-ordi-
mated drive by Germany to control
all strategic bases in the Atlantic,
while Japan seizes similar objectives
in the Pacific.
When and if Germany and
Japan accomplish that ambitious
objective" a ranking official said,
1.-The Axis powers could join forces
across the Southern oceans and
dominate the seas, isolating the
Americas for a co-ordinated attack
from the Pacific and the Atlantic"
Part of Grand Strategy.
To win that "stranglehold on the
world" it was pointed out, the Ger
mans and Japanese must first seize
the British and French strong points
that dominate the worlds seaways,
and officials said that the aggressive
plans now in motion have that
objective.
Since Japan represents one OF the
Jaws in the gigantic pincers move
ment, an authoritative source stated,
Japanese encroachment in 1ndo-
China and Thailand cannot be con-
sidered in the category OF isolated
aggression, but must be treated as
vital element in the Nazi's grand
strategy.
For this reason. it was explained,
the United States has assumed a
forceful diplomatic policy designed
both to stiffen French resistance to
German demands and to warn
Japan against further military ad-
ventures in the South Pacific before
| it is too late.
Secretary of State Hull empha-
sized the tremendous scope OF the
Axis plans, it was pointed out, when
he declared on Monday that the
recent developments in Europe and
Asia provided "the most clinchlng
demonstration" that "a world move
ment OF conquest by force was In
progress.
Clues to Aims Outlined.
State Department officials also
cited several previous formal pro-
nouncements by the Secretary IN
which he condemned would-be con-
ouerors for their collaboration IN
aggression and asserted that they
have as their fixed objective the
securing of control of the high seas.
AS outlined by informed sources,
the present clues to the Axis grand
strategy are:
|. German demands on France
for the base at Dakar for naval
operations in the South Atlantic
and also for bases along the Medi-
terranean to give the Nazis control
of that strategic sea and to facilitate
the capture of the Suez Canal.
2. Expected German demands on
Spain to permit the passage OF
troops for an attack on Gibraltar
that would permit the Italian Navy,
now imprisoned in the Mediter-
ranean, to move into the Atlantic.
4 .Janan's pxpa nsion of the naval
and military bases obtained in
Indo-China and the resultant threat
to British Malaga, Singapore and
the Philippines.
4. Japan's demands on Thailand,
which, if won, would put the Japa-
nese in strategic position not only
for attacks on Singapore and the
rich East Indies, but also for an
overland thrust through Burma and
India to meet Axis forces striking
southeast through 1rao and Iran.