BORDER FIGHTING IN MANCHUKUO

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 7

BORDER FIGHTING IN MANCHUKUO

Russian-Japanese Clashes

SOVIET AID TO CHINA (Received August 6, 11.30 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, August 6. Military intelligence reports reaching Shanghai confirm that there has been sporadic fighting on the Soviet* Manchukuoan border in the last three weeks. The most serious fighting was last week, when foreigners say numerous Japanese casualties were arriving at Harbin. Apparently the Russians are adopting their old tactics of sending patrols of between 300 and 400 men across the border in an effort to capture Japanese officers to obtain military information which would be useful in the event of a crisis. The Shanghai correspondent of the, Associated Press of Great Britain reports that a, Japanese military spokesman stated that a clash between Japanese and Soviet border troops occurred a fortnight ago. The border has been quiet since. • * The Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times” says that reliable quarters there reveal that continued Soviet aid is being given to China, in spite of Russia’s preoccupation with the German war. Russian pilots and a new consignment of Russian aeroplanes are being sent to China. Meanwhile, shipment over the north-west highway of artillery, gasoline, and ammunition continues. The Soviet Ambassador to Japan (M. Smetanin) conferred for an hour yesterday with Admiral Toyoda, the Japanese Foreign Minister.

U.S. CRUISERS AT BRISBANE

NAVY DEPARTMENT’S EXPLANATION

(Received August 6, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 5,

The Navy Depaftment announced that the heavy cruisers Northampton and Salt Lake City, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sherwood Tafflnder, called at Brisbane while on a training cruise for refuelling and several days’ recreation for the personnel of the ships’ companies. The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America, referring to this announcement, said: “A training cruise is a bit of a diplomatic understatement, deceiving nobody. Perhaps this unexpected appearance in Australian waters is to emphasise upon Japan the seriousness of American opposition to the Japanese southward drive.”

According to a message from Brisbane, Rear-Admiral Tafflnder said: "We just dropped in for two or three days to get oil and provisions.” He added that as far as he knew Brisbane would be the only port of call in Australia.

U.S. ATLANTIC FLEET

COMMANDER CONFERS WITH MR ROOSEVELT

WASHINGTON, August 5,

The United States Navy Department announced that Mr Roosevelt conferred with Admiral E. J. King, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, on board his yacht Potomac to-day. Strict‘secrecy is being enjoined regarding the President’s route and movements. Mr Roosevelt has already benefited By the rest and sea air.

ARMY SERVICE IN U.S.

(Received August 6, 7 pirn.) WASHINGTON, August 5. The United States Senate rejected by SO votes to 27 Senator R. A. Taft’s proposal to limit the extension of army service to six months beyond the original year. It is now believed that an extension of 18 months will be adopted.

JAPAN SEEKS APOLOGY

DEMANDS MADE TO ECUADOR

“ANTT-JAPANESE ACTS” ALLEGED (Received August 6, 7 p.m.) TOKYO, August 5. The Japanese Domei News Agency to-night said Japan had demanded apologies and guarantees from Ecuador for alleged anti-Japanese acts. The agency explained that the demands had been made because of false allegations by Ecuador that Japanese troops were fighting 'with Peru, because of oppression of Japanese nationals in Ecuador and attacks on Japanese property, and the detention of Japanese ships. [An official communique issued by the Ecuador Government on July 24 asserted that at least 3000 Japanese officers and men were in the Peruvian front lines in the border fighting between Peru and Ecuador.]

NAVAL AWARDS

AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN INCLUDED

LONDON, August 5.

In the latest awards for gallantry, three members of the crew of the Australian cruiser Perth are honoured for the part they took in boarding a blazing merchant ship during a bombing attack. Most of the awards apply to recent incidents in the Mediterranean.

Last April five enemy supply ships and transports and three destroyers were destroyed in 30 minutes while on their way to Tripoli. Captain P. J. Mack, commander of the destroyer which led the attack, receives a bar to his D.S.O. Officers and ratings aboard the destroyers Mohatfk, Nubian, Jervis, and Janus also receive awards for their part in this action. Members of the crew' of H.M.S. Broadway, one of the 50 United States destroyers transferred to Britain, receive awards for the destruction of a U-boat in the Atlantic. Members of the crew of the destroyer Bulldog and the corvette Aubretia also receive awards for this action. The Aubretia first located the submarine coming in to attack a convoy. She dropped well-placed depth charges, and after the submarine had surfaced the Broadway raked her with gunfire and prepared to ram. The submarine crew came on deck and surrendered.

Duke of Kent’s Tour.—lt is stated in Victoria, British Columbia, that the Duke of Kent will arrive at the Patricia Bay airport to-morrow, and will visit Vancouver on Friday—London, August £.