Tokyo. Sept. 3.
The "Asahi Shimbun." commenting on the effect President Roosevelt's speech would have on American labourers and employers. said that labour did nos yet realize the crisis confronting the United States, nor did it feel the threat of Naziism. while employers were taking advantage of the national emergency o exploit labour.
The "Asahi" said that although the President did not specifically mention Japan in his speech, Japan herself should carefully watch the future movements of the United States to ascertain its true motives in the Far East, The President's h is seen by the "Nichi Nichi bun" as turther evidence of the possibility that the United States may enter the European war. It was also aimed at increasing productive capacity, for national defence, The newspaper added that United—States. defence production was far from satisfactory at the present time; asthe productive structure of the nation was not being carried out smoothly and also the whole, were not ug the United States" 's all-out policy of aid to Great Britain.
"Hopeless Mlusion"
If President Rogsevélt's assertion. during his speech, that the United States was prepared to maintain ihe freedom of the seas was meant io impress Japan with a firmer United States attitude to Japan. America had been harbouring a "hopeless illusion." seid the "Nichi Nichi."
The journal added that Japan would not hesitate to take steps against any obstacle placed in "rightful sea routes" by the United States. in the name of freedom of the seas.—Reuter, "Japan Times" Sees Encirclement of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.