STOPPED IN PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 11

STOPPED IN PACIFIC

UNNAMED WARSHIP

NO SEARCH MADE

NEW YORK, January 23

The United States Collector of Customs at Honolulu reports that a British warship halted the Japanese* motor-liner Tatuta Maru (16,975 tons) between California and Honolulu, apparently seeking five Germans reported to be aboard. The warship stopped the Tatuta Maru 12 hours but from San Francisco. Five German passengers decided to disembark at Honolulu.

The captain of the Tatuta Maru says he was unable to identify the warship's nationality.

According to officials of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line, the Tatuta Maru was stopped but riot searched.

The first hint that the Tatuta Maru was halted near Hawaii was contained in a report that the liner urgently communicated to Tokio requesting instructions. A lengthy j exchange of messages with. Tokio followed.

The San Francisco correspondent of the United Press of America says that the Tatuta Maru sailed from San Francisco on January 18. She intended to carry part of the crew of the scuttled German liner Columbus, but the . German Consulate at the last minute cancelled the booking.

The Domei. news agency reports from Tokio that_ naval officials have discussed measures designed to prevent a recurrence of the incident of the Asarna Maru. It/ is believed that a neutrality patrol may be established in the event of another incident.

At least three Japanese ships in the Pacific at present are carrying Germans.