ENEMY ATTACK AWAITED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23750, 23 September 1942, Page 3

ENEMY ATTACK AWAITED

SOLOMON ISLANDS DEFENCE

JAPANESE FLEET OUT OF AIR RANGE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. An unofficial report from Washington says that the strong Japanese battle fleet which was threatening the American positions in the Solomon Islands last week has withdrawn beyond the range of American aircraft. The special Australian correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association says that the Japanese troops in the Solomons are counting on the arrival of reinforcements. By their usual infiltration methods they are endeavouring to discover the strength of the American marine forces and the position of the defences. When Japan returns to the attack, it is believed that transports may accompany a battle fleet to attempt largescale landings.

COMMUNIST GAIN IN SWEDEN

DISTRICT ELECTIONS

GERMAN RADIO THREAT (Ree. 11 p.in.) STOCKHOLM, Sept. 21. Communists gained control of 16 more councils as a result of yesterday’s Swedish elections, giving them control of 42 councils. The Social Democrats lost 34 districts, but are still in control of 830 out of 1500 councils. The Nazi Party still does not control a single council. Swedish newspapers welcome the election results as an endorsement of the country’s neutrality, unity, and faith in the democratic regime. Broadcasting to Sweden, the Berlin radio said: “Germany is reluctant to voice an opinion on a neighbour's domestic affairs, but the Germans are conducting an unprecedented war of destruction against Bolshevism and cannot watch the formation of a new nucleus of Communism on her doorstep. The Swedish courts have shown an incomprehensible leniency towards raboteurs. spies, and propagandists. We are disquieted by these developments.” “The Communist increase in Sweden docs not surprise Berlin. Bolshevism is building up new strongholds in Sweden. This development has not yet reached its final stage, and it must be closely watched by the European Powers which are fighting Bolshevism.”

The German newspapers continue their attacks against Sweden. The “Boersen Zeitung” to-day states; “The German Government is paying increasing attention to political developments in Sweden, especially Communist activities and Russian and British espionage, which the Swedes do not curb sufficiently. Germany can no longer overlook these developments.”

Italian Schools to Close,— lt is officially announced in Rome that the schools will be closing for the winter because of the fuel shortage.—London, September 21.