JAPANESE FLEET AND TROOP MOVEMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1941, Page 7

JAPANESE FLEET AND TROOP MOVEMENTS

NEW US. DEFENCES Tension Continues High During Talks United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1 p.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. The United Press correspondent reports that informed qbservers in Manila said to-day that a Japanese fleet headed by 16 heavy cruisers and some aircraft-carriers, was believed to be in the vicinity of the southern Japanese mandated islands, within easy striking distance of British Borneo.

Military reports indicate that it is estimated that 100,000 Japanese troops are now in Indo-China, and reinforcements are arriving constantly.

The United States War Department disclosed to-day that sea coast and island base defences are being strengthened with new powerful 6in guns.

The Hongkong correspondent of the Associated Press says the Government has urged ali persons Hot required for duty in the event of an outbreak of hostilities to leave Hongkong with their families.

Nazi Propagandists Busy a Z™- correspondent of the Associated Press states that Ernst endler, German Minister to Thai. arrived , b y Plane from Bangkok. ar " val at Nankin S, seat of the Chinese Japanese-controlled GovernSrmnrHr Fritz Weidemann, San S/nnie? 1 ?" Consul-General at Francisco, has marked an intensification of Nazi diplomatic activity. WenH?i cpect Mi 1 tha * Weidemann and Uendler will confer with Zinsser acting-German Consul-Genera I

General Tojo ".Misunderstood"

The Tok3'o correspondent of the Associated Press says the Domei News Agency quoted Foreign Office officials as saying that General Tojo's belligerent speech had been misinterpreted. The officials pointed out that General Tojo meant a purge of British and American exploitation in the Far East rather than of Powers themselves.

The Tokyo correspondent of the Associated Press stated that the Domei News Agencv said to-day that the Japanese Cabinet had decided to continue negotiations with the United States despite their great differences in viewpoints.

The report also stated that the Ministry announced to-dav that Lieu-tenant-General Saburo Ando, military and aviation expert, had been appointed a member of the War Council.

Another Tokyo message says the Japanese Cabinet held an extraordinary session at which Mr. Togo Japanese Foreign Minister, reported on the Washington negotiations. The Domei agency stated that there was a general exchange of views

An Associated Press message from Hongkong states that virtually all the remaining Japanese in Hongkong are preparing to depart by to-mor-row s steamer.

All military leave "t Honekono has been cancelled. 8 8