RICH PRIZES

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

RICH PRIZES

JAPANESE CAPTURES IN MALAYA (Rec. 8 a.m.) SYDNEY. Dec. 30. Fish, rice, tin, and rubber, all of which arc vital to Japan’s war effort, have already fallen into their hands in their southward drive in Malaya. This statement was made by Mr Arthur Hill, who was associated with the Austral Malaya Rubber Company for 19 years. He pointed out that the Japanese now. had possession of an area containing some of the richest tin mines in the world, prolific rubber plantations, extensive fishing grounds, and ricefields. SCORCHED EARTH POLICY OPPOSED BY CIVIL ADMINISTRATION SINGAPORE, Dee. 30. The friction between the military authorities and the civil Administration in Malaya regarding the adoption of the “ scorched earth ” policy may end with the establishment of martial law throughout the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. The Singapore ‘Free Press’ reveals that the civil Administration has protested against the 11 scorched earth ” policy in the areas occupied by the Japanese. The Administration’s spokesman on the Malayan War Council advocated a policy of ‘‘ denial,” as opposed to demolition, on the ground that the valuable plant might be needed when the British regain the territory. The ‘ Free Press ’ adds : The Administration’s unreal and hesitant policy_ towards the Japanese invaders is bringing matters between the civil and the military authorities to a head. Not one responsible observer returning from the areas adjacent to the battle zone has anything better to report than dwindling confidence in the civil Government by both Europeans and Asiatics. The civil service functioned satisfactorily in the palmv days of tin and rubber booms, but now is apparently unable to adjust itself to the exigencies of war. At the same time, it is unwilling to surrender any of its powers to the military authorities. JAPANESE WARNING INDIAN TOWNS MAY BE BOMBED (Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 30. The Berlin radio announced that the Japanese issued a warning that they will bomb Calcutta and any other town in India if they become supply bases for Chungking. However, the Japanese do not desire to be drawn into operations over India.