PRISONERS OF JAPS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 120, 16 February 1944, Page 5

PRISONERS OF JAPS

Tokio * Press Comment On Treatment SOME HOPE SEEN

LONDON, February 15.

Japanese newspapers have at last been permitted to mentiont Allied statements about the maltreatment of prisoners in Japanese prison camps. All the papers take the line that all is well in the handling of the camps. The “Japan Times,” which is printed in English, repeats this statement, but some hope may be gained from its further comment that there is no doubt that the Japanese Government will take steps to permit more objective visits to the localities. Hope is drawn from this statement because the “Japan Times”, is controlled by the Japanese Foreign Office. MORE ATOLLS RAIDED Air Activity In Marshalls (Received February 15, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 14. American navy bombers attacked Eniwetok atoll, in the Marshalls Group, on three successive days, -while army planes struck at other Marshall islands. A (Pacific Fleet communique states: “Carrier aircraft attacked Eniwetok atoll on Friday, Saturday and yesterday, heavily bombing the aerodrome and other ground installations. There was no fighter opposition and no anti-aircraft fire. Carrier planes also attacked Ujae atoll before dawn on February 12, damaging ground facilities. “Army Mitchell, Dauntless and Airncpbra planes attacked three enemy-held atolls with bombs, machineguns and cannon. Navy search planes made smallscale bombing attacks on the Ujelaug and Utirik atolls.

A small force of enemy bombers raided Roi Island on the night of February 11, causing moderate damage and casualties.” [The Eniwetok atoll is approximately 300 miles north-west of Kwajalein, and Ufae atoll about 100 miles west. Ujelaug is about 300 miles west and Utirik rather more than 200 miles to the northcast.] The United Press correspondent at Pearl Harbour says the Allies have apparently singled out Eniwetok for attack because it is Japan's only remaining air base east of the Carolines besides the four remaining enemy bases in the Marshalls. namely, Wotje, Maloelap, Jaluit and Mili. The fa’ct that the attack on Eniwetok was unchallenged ' indicates that this important base has been almost knocked out. The Japanese bombers raiding Roi are believed to have come from Ponape or the Kusaie Islands. JAPAN AND FUEL OIL NEW YORK, February 14. The Tokio official radio announced that the Japanese Government has accorded the fuel oil industry the same priority as the five key industries —■ aviation, shipbuilding, coal, iron and steel, and transportation—because of the accelerating air war.

The United Press points out that this action indicates a critical shortage of high-rradc lubricants.