Evening star., 1941-07-26
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okio
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the American action will be COM
paratively slight
Observers naturally expected that
business of United States firms
such as Otis Elevator. General Elec-
trio, National City Bank, National
Cash Register, British American
Tobacco Co., and film companies
would be among the hardest hit by
Japanese counter measures.
American oil companies also SEEM
ingly were blocked from further
business IN Japan.
/ The President Lines already is
using skeleton staff, since the lines
ships have been skipping Japan Tor
several months. Several other
United States firms such as East
man Kodak and Westinghouse have
been operating in Japan on a limited
basis with the International Settle
ment at Shanghai as their head
quarters.
Domei charged that the United
States freezing action, following an
nouncement of an agreement with
France for joint defense of Indo-
China, was designed to check ia
pans construction of a new order
in East Asia"
no a,1t
had the power to cope with any
situation which may develop and
that grave reactions in trade with
almost all countries not vet involved
in war seemed likely from PreSi-
dent Roosevelt's action
/ French Pact Announced.
The government announced COM
pletion of the agreement with
France for Joint defense" OF Indo-
/ China.
The foreign Office announcement
that Japan had undertaken with
France the joint defense of Indo-
China declared the colony's terri
torial integrity would be respected
and asserted the move was neces-
sary to protect both japanese and
French interests.
The foreign Office pointed out that
Indo-China is an important source
of materials for the industries of
Japan, and that she could not let
this source be imperiled
Internal conditions in Indo-
China have been greatly affected by
the changes of the situations in
Europe and East Asia, with in
creasing signs that even the secu-
/ rity OF Indo-China would be threat
ened if such developments were left
alone the statement said.
Menace BY Allies Charged.
japanese newspapers had charged
earlier that British, Free French
and American interests were plan
ming to move on Indo-China
If by any chance the situation
so developed that Indo-C China was
thrown into chaotic condition, it
could not in self-defense be over
looked by Japan, not to mention
France herself" the Foreign Office
added.
1T has been keenly felt, there
fore, by both Japan and France
that they are bound together by
very close relationship as we'll as
common interest with regard to the
position of Indo-China"
No details of how the joint de-
fenSe would be carried out were an
nounced:
Japanese troop ships have
been reported en- route south
ward and reports from Indo-
China said troops were expected
to take over bases in Southern
Indo-China, notably Camranh
Bay and Cap ST. JacquesJ
Aggression Denied.
Domei wrote that the agreement
was neither aggression nor a pre-
requisite for Japan's armed advance
southwark as speculated by certain
inimical countries"
Occupation of bases in Indo-C China
would bring Japan within striking
distance of Britain's key naval base,
Singapore, the rich Netherlands In
dies, Malaga, Burma and Thailand.
France, the japanese Foreign Of
flee said, definitely recognized Ja-
pans eminent position in Indo-
China in August, 1910, and last May
signed economic ard political agree
ments Ito solidify good neighborly
and amicable relations between
Japan and Indo-C China Further
negotiations with Vichy, which we're
concluded last Monday, progressed
smoothly in an extremely friendly
atmosphere" the statement said.