EVACUATION PLANS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 7

EVACUATION PLANS

Britons In Japan A SHIP TO BE SENT

(Received August 31, 9.30 p.m.)

.TOKIO, August 30. The British Embassy has advised non-essential Britons to evacuate the Japanese Empire and Manchukuo. The Embassy issued the following statement: — , ~ “In view of the freezing regulation a number of British subjects have declared their intention of leaving Japan at ,the first opportunity. In order to facilitate their departure the British Government will shortly send a ship to Japan. British subjects wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity are urged to get in touch with the nearest consular office.” . ’ The Embassy said it was unable to disclose the name of the ship or the date of its arrival. It was expecting the majority of the 300 Indian subjects in Japan to leave and also the majority of the 1000 British, including 200. women and 20 Australians and Canadians. It had not decided whether to permit American nationals to be evacuated on the British ship.

PROSPECT OF WAR

Nervousness Noted 'ln Japan (Received August 31, 9.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 30. The Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of America reports that 59 Americans who arrived there on the ship Tatuta Maru revealed thqt there is mounting nervousness and anxiety in Japan. The wealthier classes are rushing to rent houses outside the cities, fearing air raids in the event of war - ... , , The evacuees included United States army, navy and. embassy officials. They said every obstacle had been placed in their path to prevent their departure. Passages were refused to 500 others though the ship had many empty berths.

CHINESE OFFENSIVE

Report That Japanese Used Gas LONDON, August 29. A communique issued by the. Chinese Military Council in Chungking says that Japanese troops used gas against the Chinese offensive near Nanchang. The communique said that the Chinese armies in the Fukien, Chekiang, Kiangsi, Kiangsu, and Anhwei . Provinces launched a general offensive on August 25, surprising the Japanese garrisons in key cities in all five provinces. It is claimed that the Japanese were thrown into disorder and that the Chinese recaptured four important cities. The Japanese army spokesman in Shanghai admitted that Marshal Kai-shek’s forces opened an offensive on August 26 on a 150-mlle front west of Shanghai and along the line from South Hangchow to Wuhu, on the Yangtse. The spokesman asserted that all the Chinese attacks had been repulsed. ____________