NEGLECT IN MALAYA

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1942, Page 5

NEGLECT IN MALAYA

ALLEGATIONS BY REFUGEES

LONDON, February 13. American refugees who arrived in New York to-day related shocking stories of neglect which, they allege, resulted in the loss of the Malay Peninsula. All agreed that air protection was absolutely lacking and they said that exaggerated self-confidence had been substituted for forethought. Preparations were simply not made. Mr Elliot Simpson, secretary of the Rothschild Company, a crude-rubber importer, said: “I am going to Washington to lay the whole picture as I saw it before the State Department. My chief complaint will be how the British ordered the evacuation of British women and children from Penang city without notifying 40 American residents, the Indians, or the 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, not one anti-aircraft gun, and 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. Between 7000 and 10,000 women and children have been evacuated from Singapore. The entire staffs of the Penang and Singapore harbour boards are known to be safe, and their wives and children have been evacuated.

Information has been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements (Sir Shenton Thomas) that among the women and children of all races evacuated from Singapore by sea, more than 7000 European women and children had left Singapore oy January 31 for various destinations. The total estimated number of European women and children in Singapore was about 10,000. Since January 31 other parties of women and children have been evacuated as and when opportunity offered. The complete figures have not been received. No one has, of course, been prevented from sailing on account of inability to pay the passage money, and public funds have been used to meet any needs arising at the port of destination.

Thirty thousand evacuees from Burma and Malaya have arrived in India, according to a message from New Delhi. In one day six ships bringing 4000 evacuees arrived at a port in India.