PACIFIC CRUISE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 51, 2 March 1937, Page 10

PACIFIC CRUISE

RETURN OF THE LEITH

NO INFORMATION DIVULGED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This; Day,

The war sloop Leith returned to Auckland this morning from her mystery cruise of Pacific islands. The officers would make no statement regarding the purpose of the cruise or as to the islands visited. They said they had not been at Christmas Island, where, it was rumoured, they landed wireless equipment under a guard of sailors.

If'was reiterated by the officers that they had been under orders from the Commissioner of the Western Pacific and no comment could be made.

A rumour has been current that the Leith's mission was connected with the Pacific cruise of the United States destroyers Preston- and Smith. This was denied both by British and American officers.

. Outside naval circles it is suggested that both navies had missions connected with claiming Pacific islands for their respective nations. It is hinted also that the cruises have a connection with airway routes. It is contended that America wants certain islands as air bases but that Britain is only willing to grant their use provided the United States allows Imperial Airways to use Honolulu as a stopping place for a British airway route.