THREAT TO EAST INDIES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23534, 12 January 1942, Page 5

THREAT TO EAST INDIES

ENEMY OFFENSIVE EXPECTED LONDON, January 9. Reports from the Far East state that a large-scale Japanese offensive against the Netherlands East Indies is believed, to be a matter of hours or days. Continuous enemy reconnaissance flights have been made over the territory. AMERICAN SHIP SUNK BOMBED BY JAPANESE AIRCRAFT (B 0.W.) RUGBY, Jan. 10. The United States Navy Department announced that in the Far East, the Ruth Alexander, of 8000 tons, was attacked by an enemy aeroplane in Netherlands East Indies waters. She has been abandoned and declared a total loss. One member of the crew was killed and four injured. The balance of the survivors are safe in a friendly port. In the central Pacific operations continue against enemy submarines. The Hawaiian area is quiet. In the eastern Pacific coastal defence plans have resulted in the narrowing of enemy submarine operations off the west coast. In the Atlantic area a report that an enemy submarine was operating in New England waters has been thoroughly investigated. The area has been searched without tangible results.