Reported Arming in Japan

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 156, 30 December 1940, Page 7

Reported Arming in Japan

12 SAID TO BE IN PORT

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

MANILA, December 28. It is reliably stated that United States naval circles are giving very close attention to a report of the arming of at least 12 German vessels which are at present in harbours in Japan and Japanese-controlled harbours in China for v raiding activities in the Pacific. It is understood that several vessels are already engaged in provisioning and refuelling German raiders at present active in Australian and Indian waters, probably making a rendezvous in islands under Japanese mandate. It is reported that the most recent incident was the action of the Norwegian tanker Olav Jakob, manned by a German prize crew, which entered Kobe, refuelled, and departed in spite of protests by

the Norwegian Minister. It is also stated that two German vessels, the Ragensburg and the Kimberland, left Japan late in October and have not yet returned, while the Elsa Essberger, Durgenland, Scharnhorst, and Aneanliese are at Kobe and the Dairen-Saarland and Elbe Odenwald are at Yokohama and are kept constantly fuelled and provisioned. It is said that three German vessels are at present at Tsingtao, China, and that three others in Chinese ports are at present being armed.,

An authoritative United States defence official expressed the opinion that the German vessels, which will be completely armed by the middle of January, constitute Hitler's aid to Japan in starting southward expansion, which will be timed to coincide with action by Germany in south-east Europe—immobilising the United States fleet in the Pacific while Britain urgently needs naval assistance in the Mediterranean.

He said that foreign intelligence reports indicated that numerous Germans have been arriving in Japan for months past and that Hitler is exerting pressure on Japan to put a "squeeze" on the United States while Hitler strikes in Europe.

Naval circles understand that the German vessels will not only be used as commerce raiders in an effort to drive British shipping from the routes in the Pacific and Indian Oceans but also may be used as the vanguard of Japanese moves to the Dutch East Indies. They say it is understood that tremendous troop movements from Central and South China to Formosa and Hainan Island are taking place and that all preparations are com-, pleted for a southward push. However, it is pointed out that no Kwantung (North China) units have been moved, indicating that the Japanese fears of Russia are not dissipated.

A message from Shanghai says that the "North China Daily News" quotes "reliable sources" as claiming that the Olav Jakob carried a Norwegian crew from the s.s. Talleyrand, which the Germans sank. It states that members of the Talleyrand's crew were transferred to the Scharnhorst at Kobe. However, the prisoners signalled another Norwegian vessel, after which the Norwegian authorities protested to Japan. The Japanese searched the Scharnhorst and released the Norwegians, who boarded the Empress of Asia and proceeded to Singapore.

private houses were fired upon, and nobody was injured.