DUTCH INDIES AND JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23353, 12 June 1941, Page 5

DUTCH INDIES AND JAPAN

REJECTION OF TRADE DEMANDS CONFERENCE IN TOKYO (Received June 11, 7 p.m.) (U.P.A.) TOKYO, June 10. Japanese Foreign Office officials, at an extraordinary conference, decided on the basis of Japan’s reply to the Netherlands East Indies’ rejection of the Japanese trade demands. The Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) said that Japan would adopt a firm attitude with a view to settling the dispute. The Dome! agency states that the withdrawal of the Japanese negotiators from Batavia is now a mere question of time in view of the Government leaders' decisions.

BRITISH GAINS IN ABYSSINIA

DEFENCES OVERCOME NEAR JIMMA PATROL ACTIVITY IN LIBYA LONDON, June 10. A communique from British headquarters in Cairo states: “In Libya there has been patrol activity in the frontier area. About Tobruk the situation remains unchanged. “In Abyssinia, as a result of the battle of the Lakes and the battle of the river Omo, a further 45,000 square miles of Italian territory have fallen into our hands. In spite of great difficulties caused by the mountainous country, bad roads, and heavy rains, at least four divisions have been destroyed or dispersed in these battles. All major opposition in front of Jimma has been overcome and operations are proceeding favourably. "Ip Iraq there is no change in the situation.” A British Official Wireless message says it is learned in London that in the Tobruk area two enemy aircraft were shot down by British ground defences on Saturday night. An enemy tank was put out of action by artillery. In Abyssinia, the advance of two British columns on Jimma is making progress. The northern column has now reached Hocorro, 15 miles south-west of Abalti, while the southern column has progressed 12 miles from the point at which the river Omo was crossed. In this area the prisoners now total about 3000. In a broadcast from Melbourne, the Australian Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzics) said that .the heroic fighting of the Tobruk garrison might well prove to be a turning point in the Egyptian campaign. SINKING OF U.S. VESSEL ONE LIFEBOAT PICKED UP 35 PERSONS NOT YET ACCOUNTED FOR (Received June 11, 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON. June 11. The United States Maritime Commission said the United States vessel Robin Moor (5000 tons), which was reported to have been torpedoed by a Üboat, had a list of 40. The vessel sank 700 miles south of the Cape Verde Islands and the crew and passengers transferred to four lifeboats. The Brazilian vessel Osorio rescued the passengers in one lifeboat 800 miles from the position of the sinking. The rescued members of the crew say that the three other lifeboats carried 35 persons, including three women and one child. The commander of the Brazilian ship Tamandare found pieces of baggage, including a suitcase and children's toys. SHIPS FOR U.S. NAVY ROOSEVELT SEEKS APPROPRIATION (Received June 11, 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 11. Mr Roosevelt has asked Congress for 100,000,000 dollars to purchase 26 additional auxiliary ships for the navy. HUNGARIAN SHIP CAPTURED DUTCH DESTROYER’S ACTION (Received June 11, 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. A message from Batavia says that the Netherlands East Indies destroyer Kortenaer, while patrolling in the Timor Soa. intercepted and arrested the Hungarian steamer Nuygat (4323 tons), which it escorted to Sourabaya. A communique states that the master of the Nuygat, a Nazi sympathiser, intended to try to reach a neutral port. The Nuygat will be disposed of according to prize law. The cargo has already been sold. It is announced from Sourabaya that Holland severed diplomatic relations with Hungary on April 6. It is officially stated that the Free Dutch gunnery training ship van Kinsbergen intercepted the French freighter Africa 500 miles off Martinque last Friday. She also intercepted the French liner Winnipeg on June 2 and the Gcr 1 - man liner Rhein on April 23, 1940. WHOLE TOWN DESTROYED EXPLOSION OF POWDER DUMP (Received June 11, 9 p.m.) VICHY, June 11. It is reported that the entire town of Semendria, in Serbia, was destroyed by the explosion in a powder dump. Between 4000 and 6000 persons were killed or injured. The streets were strewn with bodies.