JAPS. IN THAILAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1941, Page 8

JAPS. IN THAILAND

SUSPICIOUS CONTINGENTS

THREAT TO MALAYA

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, April 25. That a swift Japanese thrust against Malaya will follow the next Axis move in the eastern Mediterranean, is the belief of competent observers who have arrived in Cairo from the Far East, says the Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” It is stated that Thailand resembles a Balkan country in a pre-invasion stage. Six Japanese divisions in Indo-China are being given intensive training in jungle warfare. Bangkok’s biggest cinema is devoted to Axis propaganda, giving a two-hour newsreel solely of the German blitzkrieg methods, including aerial shorts of the bombing of Coventry. Ten thousand Japanese “businessmen” have arrived in Thailand in recent weeks, all discovering that their business takes them to the Malayan frontiers. Their ranks are swelling at the rate of 1000 weekly.

JAPANESE DIFFICULTIES

(Received April 28, 11.45 a.m.) TOKIO, April 27.

“The Soviet-Japanese Pact has not removed the present difficulties facing the nation,” declared Mr. Matsuoka. “If possible, I would like to institute German-like control of our national life from to-morrow. Unfortunately, such control is still only at the paper stage. Germany, of course, also required paper plans at first, but Japan to-day has no time for that.”

ITALIAN SHIP-SEIZURE.

(Received April 28, 11.45 a.m.) SHANGHAI, April 27.

The Japanese naval ' spokesman said that the Italian seizure of the Jugoslav steamer Tomislav, to prevent the possibility of her falling into the hands of the British, was not in conformity with the Japanese intention to prevent the spread of the war to the Orient, for which reason the Japanese have made representation to the Italian naval authorities, and expect an early reply.

CHINESE SUCCESS

CHUNGKING, April 27.

The Chinese Central News Agency officially announced that 4000 Japanese were killed or wounded in the Chuki sector of Chekiang during a Chinese counter-attack. The agency said the Japanese were_■ retreating northward.

CHINESE CURRENCY.

RUGBY, April 26.

Described as a “further important step in the field of monetary cooperation between the United Kingdom and China, and symbolising the friendly relations between the two countries,” an agreement was signed to-day in Washington on behalf of the British Treasury and the Government of China. The agreement, which was announced by the British Embassy in Washington, allows the carrying into effect of the British Government’s offer last December to the Chinese Government of a credit of £5,000,000 to check undue fluctuation in terms of sterling of the] Chinese yuan (standard dollar), an offer which followed the setting up of a fund of £5,000,000 guaranteed by the British Treasury for such currency stabilisation. The agreement closely parallels another also signed to-day involving the establishment by China of the use of the dollar and the stabilisation of the Chinese yuan by the United States to an amount of 50,000,000 United States dollars. The stabilisation funds Will be managed by a board set up by the Chinese Government, and consisting of three Chinese, one American and one British representative.

JAMES ROOSEVELT.

MANILA, April 26.

Mr. James Roosevelt has gone to Hong Kong. It is indicated he might remain there several days before flying to Chungking. Informed circles express the opinion he intends further to assure China of Washington’s interest. He is now co-operat-ing in this area. Further south operations inall areas are proceeding satisfactorily.

DUTCH EAST INDIES

BATAVIA, April 25.

The Netherlands East Indies War Department has announced that the defence of the outer islands in the archipelago is progressing apace. The chief additions include concrete fortifications, infantry reinforcements, the building of new aerodromes in strategic positions which are stocked with oil, petrol, ammunition, and supplies capable of lasting through a long campaign.