United States officials indicated last right that the British offer was being considered very seriously and that its effects on Japan were being carefully weighed.
Commenting on State Department conversations with the Bri Am. bassador and Australian Minister during the past three weeks, diplomatic quanters pointed out last night that the line between "exploratory talks" and "negotiations" is thinly draw The Secretary of State, Mr, Cordell Hull, said last week that the discussions were "exploratory," if was recalled.
Observers- here recalled that the United States Navy is familiar with operations from. the-Singapore naval ase because several American war ships visited Singapore and participated in British manœuvres there several years ago.
Official circles last night declined to comment on reports that a new protest regarding Japan's actions in Indo-China was being prepared for presentation in Toky y. Reports that such a protest was being drafted t the State Department did not speculate regarding the form the protest might take
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