Evening star., 1941-12-02

expects a prompt reply. but the
inquiries should not be considered in
the nature Of an ultimatum.
Mr.. Welles also was unwilling to
hazard any prediction as to how
long the efforts to reach an under
standing with the japanese through
diplomatic conversations here might
continue. He disclaimed knowledge
Of reports published in London un-
der Washington dateline that
Great Britain had informed this
Government she would begin hos
tilities against Japan if the Jap
anese moved against Thsiland.
Ambassador Nomura and Mr..
Kurusu declined to comment on
the situation after leaving Mr..
Welles' conference this morning. Mr..
Nomura remarked:
Il cannot disclose anything-Mr.
Welles talked and We listened
AS he entered the conference. the
Ambassador said:
Nobody wants war
Mr.. Welles' press conference fol-
lowed an hour-long discussion at the
White House conference among Pres
ldent Roosevelt. Secretary of War
Stimson. Secretary of the Navy Knox
and himself, presumably concern
ing developments in the Far East.
Mr.. Welles refused to comment on
the meeting, however.
Meanwhile. Japan has DELAYED
any formal answer to a document
in which this Government last week
set forth the basic principles which
1t considers essential to any peace
full adjustment to the Far Eastern
crisis. Ambassador Nomura ex-
planned today that his government
still was giving "weighty and care
ful consideration" to its answer.
Kurusu Still Hopeful.
Mr.. Kurusu. who said on his ar
rival IN Washington that he believed
there was a fighting chance" for
peace, was asked if he still felt that
way in view of the mounting tension
in the situation.
"Oh. yes-I do not give up that
easily" he replied.
In declaring that NOBODY wants
war Mr. Nomura said that war
would not settle the issues ANYWAY.
Issues that cannot be settled by
diplomacy cannot be settled by
war"
He added that he preferred to at
tempt to reach a settlement by
diplomacy.
The Japanese envoys said an ON
cial explanation was being given the
State Department of what they in
sisted was a mistranslation Of a
statement Saturday by Premier
TOTO. who was quoted in press dis
patches from Toxic, as saying that
Japan must purge American and
British influence" from East Asia
with a vengeance.
Mr.. Kurusu explained to report
ers that the premier's actual state
ment was that what he alleged was
Western practice of trying to
"checkmate one Oriental power
against another must be eliminated. "
He was referring in this connec-
ton to Japan's contention that
British and American influence is
preventing peace between Japan and
China.
Mr. KuruSu said the translation
into English OF the Premier's speech
was made by 4 subordinate Official,
who did not convey the Premier's
meaning into English properly.
The United States position of op-
position to Japan's demands for a
new order" in the Far East remained
unchanged. despite the Japanese de-
cision to reopen tentatively the dip
lomatic discussions.
The situation In the Far East,
meanwhile. continued tense and an
analysis of troop and naval move
ments led military strategists here
to the conclusion that the so-called
A. B. c. D. powers already had made
their decision to fight If and when
Japan invades the now-threatened
little Kingdom Of Thailand.
A b c d Powers Back U. S.
The A. B. c. D. powers-America
Britain, China and the Dutch East
Indies-are known to be In full ac-
cord with the position the United
States has taken IN the negotiations
with Japan, and the b. c. D. men,
bers Of the anti-aggression front
were kept completely informed on
all developments in the diplomatic
discussions.