"ESSENTIAL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1940, Page 8

"ESSENTIAL."

RETURN OF GERMANS.

Readjustment Of Relations Complicated. A JAPANESE RESERVATION. United I'rcss Association. —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) TOKYO, January 31. The .Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, at a conference with the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, demanded as "essential" the return of the German seamen seized on board the Asaina Maru. Mr. Arita added that the Asama Maru incident complicated the readjustment of Anglo-Japanese relations. The lielligcrcnts' economic policies were destructive of the freedom of the seas and of trade. da pan would continue to protest and take other appropriate steps. The European war would bring drastic changes, probably tremendously affecting the China nffair and Far Eastern stabilisation. The failure to maintain peace bad been largely due to some nations' insistence on trying to maintain an irrational and unjust stmt us quo relative to race, religion, territory, resources, trade and immigration by exclusiouist policies and abuse of superior positions.

The United Press Tokyo correspondent says diplomats interpret the reference to the European war as reservation of freedom of action, not excluding the possi-biliiy of support for either side if developments warrant it. The reference to cxclusionist policies is believed to foreshadow a renewed demand for racial and general equality, similar to that made at Versailles.

THIRD POWERS. Will Not Eliminate Rights In China. INTENTIONS OF JAPAN. ißec-plved - J p.m.* TOKYO, January 31. Speaking in the Diet Mr. Arita, the foreign Minister, disclaimed any intention to eliminate the legitimate rights and interests of the United States or other third Powers, in China, but reiterated that military operations inevitably affect third Powers' trade and economic activities.

He added that Italian. German and .Japanese relations had been increasingly cordial since the conclusion of the aliti.Ooiniiitern agreement. Japan's antiComintern policy was unaltered, but Russo-Japanese relations were better.

TWO AWARDS. GALLANT FLYERS. Squadron-Leader Gains Bar To His D.F.C. INFANTRYMAN'S EXPLOIT. Hi itlshx Official Wireless. RUGBY, .January 31. The King has approved two awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Squadron-Leader Kenneth Christopher Doran is awarded the bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Leading-Aircraftsman John Tippet* is awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Squadron-Leader- Doran won the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading an attack on an enemy cruiser in the Royal Air Force raid on the Kiel Canal on September 4, hie name appearing in the first list of decorations conferred on members of the Boyal Air Force in this war. His new award has been won after leading a formation of bombers which was attacked by enemy fighters over the North Sea this month.

By his clever tactics and gallant leadership Squadron -Leader Doran successfully maintained a close defensive formation throughout the engagement. Two of the German aircraft were compelled to break off the fight, a third was shot down in flames into the sea and the remainder eventually abandoned the attack.

Although one British aircraft was lost and a second one had to return to its base, Squadron-Leader Doran, showing great determination, led the remaining aircraft 130 miles further to his objective.

Aircraftsman Tippett, who is only 21 years old, was a gunner of the same formation of bomber aircraft. His aircraft held a vulnerable position in the formation.

' His task was one of great danger and responsibility. Yet he showed great skill and coolness in handling his gun and consistently repelling enemy attacks throughout the engagement.

Ifc is revealed that the night patrol .exploit for which Captain J. A. McKenzie, of the Gloucester Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross, occurred after Captain McKenzie had led two of his men to a listening post in No Man's Land. He found a German patrol advancing, but the men at the British post remained perfectly still, although they estimated tliat the Germans were 20 strong, and allowed the enemy to advance to within 10 yards before opening fire with a machine-gun.

The two leading Germans fell and the Test scattered. Captain McKenzie led back his men to the British line, but set out into No Man's Land again at the head of a strong battle patrol. Without loss they brought back one dead German.