BATTLE OF SINGAPORE MUDDLE IN MALAYA CONFUSION IN CANADA DEFENCE OF INDIA JAPANESE ARRESTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 39, 16 February 1942, Page 6

BATTLE OF SINGAPORE

MUDDLE IN MALAYA

CONFUSION IN CANADA

DEFENCE OF INDIA

JAPANESE ARRESTED

THE LAST PHASE

BLUE SKY SEEN AGAIN

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) <Rec. 2 p.m.)" LONDON, Feb. 15. Describing: the last phase of the Singapore battle, Tokio radio says that blue sky was visible over Singapore for the first time for a -week, after the huge oil tanks had burned out, but the tropical foliage and landscape are still black with the soot which has settled down. Huge shell and bomb craters dot the island .and shattered and dwarfed stumps are the only remnants of flourishing orchards and plantations. The radio commentator said the Japanese struck the decisive blows only on Saturday, when they occupied the water reservoirs and the Pyalebar radio station, where the British defenders fiercely and desperately fought until the last moment.

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

(Reef 10.30 a.m.)

NEW YORK, February 15

"THe • Times" Ottawa correspondent says that the forces opposing conscription' are gathering strength in the current debate raging around the Government's plebiscite proposal. Even some Cabinet members, like Defence Minister .Ralston, are .apparently relapsing into, their former anti-conscription attitude. The example of Australia's plight is used as the chief argument by the foes of Canadian conscription. They assert that Australia would now be in a much- better position if it had not allowed its-best fighting sons to go to Britain and, Africa, and therefore Canada should concentrate on home defence.' ,'„. " The political battle on the conscription issue isv indicative of the great confusion of mind existing throughout the country.

HOME FRONT ORGANISATION

RUGBY, February 14.

The presence of Japanese forces barely 100 miles frpm Rangoon emphasises . the crucial. importance of . India ■fa Far Eastern strategy. The urgency of the' situation is clearly reflected in the invitation to India to be'represented, in the War Cabinet arid on the Pacific Council.

"The Times" today describes this invitation 'as repairing ■an omission "rendered all the more anomalous by both the extent and the effectiveness of India's military effort and by the immediate threat to Indian territory from the East."

An agency message from New Delhi says that in the Central Assembly today Sir Reginald Maxwell, home mem-

ber of the Executive Council, explain-

Ed the steps the Government of India * had taken as a precaution against any likely invasion of India. , He said all the powers which could be considered necessary had been taken by the Central and Provincial Governments under the ordinances and defence of India rules.

•The Civil Defence Department had been created to maintain the people's morale. The police forces had been strengthened by the additional recruitment of 30,000 men and more were being enrolled.

A force of 65,000 to operate as a civic guard had been created and a special watch was being exercised over individuals, and organisations likely to assist the enemy and create disorder.— 8.0. W.

(Rec. 9 a.m.)

SAN FRANCISCO, February 15,

Six Japanese, including two reserve officers in the Japanese army, were arrested when the Federal Bureau of Investigation extended its raids in northern California to Sunnyvale, the base of blimps patrolling the coast for Japanese submarines. Shot-gun ammunition, a short-wave radio, and flashlights were seized in one Japanese home;

AMERICAN'S STORY

NEW YORK, February 13,

American refugees, who arrived here today related shocking stories of the neglect which they allege resulted in the loss of the Malay Peninsula, All agreed that air protection1 was absolutely lacking and asserted that exaggerated self-confidence was substituted for forethought. Preparations were simply riot made. Mr. Simpson, secretary of the Rothschild Company, a, crude rubber exporter, said: "I am going to Washington to lay the whole picture as I saw it before the State Department. ."My chief complaint will be about how the British ordered the evacuation of British women and children from Penang city without notifying 40 American residents, Indians, or Chinese. "They would have left us behind; it was just an accident that .we learned in time. ' "If the British lose the war it will be ; because of pure and unbelievable carelessness." Mr. Simpson said that there were only about 500 troops in Penang, and not one anti-aircraft gun. There were no guns of any kind. Camouflage was not attempted. The red-roofed houses stood out like beacons. Even the American Consul was not notified about the evacuation. Mr. Simpson contended that Penang was the key to Singapore. If it had been fortified all might have been saved. Moreover, 7000 tons of rubber and; 5000 tons of tin were left on the piers. ■-..■' ' "■ ■' TRUTH WANTED. The "New York Post," in an editorial today, says:, "Australian officials show their wisdom by refusing to censor Cecil Brown's radio reports." (Brown's broadcasts resulted in the Columbia Broadcasting Corporation recently being barred from the air by the authorities' at Singapore.) "We can stand the truth and be better for it. . . . Let us squeeze every lesson we can from the Singapore struggle. To discuss the Singapore setback is now a first duty of all of us. What went wrong? Truth is our ally. We want to know." ; . The "Post" gives prominence to one of Brown's broadcasts, which it surprisingly asserts, was hot heard in Australia. ■ ■'"■■'•' Today, according to the "Post," Brown declares that, because of Singapore, Australians are very angry, bitter, and apprehensive, and that unprecedented criticism of the Mother Country is appearing in the Australian newspapers. Brown criticises Australia, too, declaring that there are many aspects,of unreadiness, and quotes one Australian newspaper editor as saying: "Conscription of the army is one thing no one talks about. "People here know that the salvation of this country depends on overseas troops, ships, and aeroplanes," which, of course, can be interpreted in two ways.