BIG JAP. CONVOY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 171, 22 July 1941, Page 7

BIG JAP. CONVOY

SEEN MOVING SOUTH Army And Navy Take Part h Government Unttcd Press Association.—Cbpyilgftt. Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, July 2V. A convoy of 15 Japanese transports and supply ships was sighted yesterday off Lantao. at the mouth of the Pearl River, outside British waters, according to a Hongkonir message. It is believed that the convoy is moving southwards. The Japanese Domei news agencr says Prince Konoye will outline Japan s diplomatic aims to the Press to-morrow. The Japanese Cabinet to-day conferred with the Army and Navy High Commands. The purpose of the conference was to establish fuller liaison and attain unity between the Government and the High Commands. The Domei news agencv points out that the army and n a v y have taken an active part in the Government reorganisation. The newspaper "Chugai" expressed the belief that the Tripartite Pact will not operate to bring Japan into wa J"' Germany t*ok the initiative and declared war on the United States, Article 111. provided that one ally would help another only if one was attacked by a Power not involved in the European or Chinese wars. Press Heavily Censored The "Hochi," in a heavily censored editorial article, said Japan should face impending difficulties by relying on her own power regardless of agreements with the Axis and Russia. Japanese diplomacv, the paper says, has been based on those agreements, but it is an undeniable fact, that because the outbreak of the German-Russian war marked a change in Japan's major conditions in East Asia diplomacy .... The "Hochi"' then said the next seven lines had been censored.

The "Nichi Nichi" warned Indochina to reconsider anti-Japanese action and to reject British and ; American manoeuvres aimed at . blocking Japan's peaceful expansion 1 southward. The paper said that 150 ; pro-Japanese had been recently j executed in Indo-China. .The "China Daily News.** Chung- , king, says it is very clear from now on that the Japanese Government is in a stage of preparing for war. The Lyons radio, quoting a Bangkok source, says Britain has reached an agreement with China to extend the Burma Road. The general opinion in Saigon. French Indo-China, is that Japan intends to attack the Russian port of Vladivostok, invade the Yunnan Province of China, and cut off the Burma Road. The Japanese Ambassador to Britain, Mr. Shigemitsu, who has arrived in Tokyo from London, said that conditions on the British home front were good. In answer to a question he said he could not say when he would return to London. The matter would be decided by the Emperor. Japs. Banned Panama Canal The evacuation of the Japanese colony from Johannesburg, and orders to Japanese ships unable to pass through the Panama Canal to proceed home immediately via Cape Horn are the latest developments la the Far East situation. The Domei news agency's Johannesburg correspondent is the authority for the statement that the Japanese colony is preparing to leave South Africa on July 26. Japanese shipping circles in New York state that at least 10 Japanese steamers en route to Japan from American Atlantic ports have been ordered to abandon their efforts to obtain permission to pass through the Panama Canal, and to proceed u» Japan by Cape Horn. The canal authorities refused t® permit the passage of Japanese ships on the grounds that the canal is undergoing repairs, it is stated. American vessels, however, were allowed to pass through, this leading to the belief that military works are in progress.

AIR RAID INSURANCE Japanese Discuss Problem In View Of Tension STOCK MARKET UNSTEADY Rec. 2 p.m. NEW YORK, July 2L The "New York Times" Tokyo correspondent, Mr. Tolischus, reports that the Ministry of Commerce and leading insurance companies are discussing the problem of introducing bombing insurance in view of the increasing tenseness of the world situation and the fact that bombings of Japan may become an actuality. The Agriculture Minister, Mr. Hiroyasu Ino, assured the public today that there is plenty of rice and vegetables in Japan, and Japanese farmers will soon be producing. The Tokyo stock market has turned soft, and this is attributed to the prospect of increased taxation, as well as the complicated international situation.

OVER-ESTIMATED British Forces Stationed In The Far East DEROGATORY JAP. REPORT Rec. 1.30 p.m. TOKYO, July 21. The Domei news agency at Bangkok, Thailand, said to-day that Britain has fewer troops in the Far East than is generally supposed. Their correspondent asserted that although Britain claims to have 200.000 troops in Malay and 100,000 in Burma, a reliable survey exposes that the actual forces are not more than one-fifth of that number. Moreover, they are nothing but rabble, composed of mixed racial troops with, the number of Britishers extremely limited.