LOSS OF SINGAPORE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1942, Page 5

LOSS OF SINGAPORE

MESSAGE FROM COMMANDER FURTHER DEFENCE HOPELESS LONDON, February 16. The last news from the British forces in Singapore was contained in a message sent by LieutenantGeneral A. E. Percival, the British Commander, to General Sir Archibald Wavell, the Allied’Commander-in-Chief in the South-west Pacific. The message was dispatched yesterday afternoon and received in London last night. It said that because of heavy losses and a shortage of water, food, and ammunition it was impossible to carry on the defence any longer. It is stated in London that there was no policy of evacuation from Singapore. The intention was to fight to the last. It is probable that the evacuation of women and children was fairly complete and that the British succeeded in taking off some of the wounded. The Japanese Domei Agency states that Lieutenant-General Yamashita, the Japanese commander, has taken full responsibility for the lives of the women and children remaining on the island. The agency adds that about 120 women and children remained. SURRENDER DESCRIBED. (Rec. 12.15) NEW YORK, Feb. 16. The Tokio official radio has described the surrender of Singapore as a tense hour. It said: The first move was made by three officers, bearing a white flag to the Japanese lines. Thenproposals were rejected, after whicn for two hours the Japanese continued to attack. Then General Percival, accompanied by Major C. H. Wilde and other members of the staff, motored to the Ford plant and met General Yamashita and others. . . General Yamashita said: I wisn your replies to be brief and to the point. 1 will listen only to unconditional surrender. Have you captured anv Japanese soldiers? General Percival: None. v General Yamashita: What about the Japanese civilians? General Percival: They have all been interned and sent to India. Thenlives are fully protected. General Yamashita: I want to hear whether you wish to surrender. General Percival: Will you give me until to-morrow? General Yamashita: I cannot wait. General Percival: Give me five hours. General Yamashita: Then we will continue to attack meanwhile. General Percival remained silent, and General Yamashita insisted on an answer. General Percival finally said, softly, “Yes.” TO MAINTAIN ORDER LONDON, February 16. It is officially announced in Tokio that under the terms of the surrender of Singapore 1,000 British soldiers retain their arms to maintain order until the Japanese completely occupy the city. The Japanese Domei News Agency reports that the British troops were surrounded in Singapore city itself, and in the centre of the island, when four British officers were handed the Japanese peace terms. An armistice was finally negotiated between Lieu-tenant-General A. E. Percival, the British commander, and LieutenantGeneral Yamashita. Paris radio says that the Japanese pay tribute to the courage .of the British troops in remaining faithful to military traditions, to the limits of human endurance. SHORTAGE OF WATER. RUGBY, February 16. A telegram received on Saturday in London from Sir Shenton Thomas said that there were 1,0uu,000 people concentrated within a radius of three miles. The water supplies were very badly damaged, and were unlikely to last more than 24 hours. The last telegram received from the Governor, probably sent about the time of the surrender, said that the civil population 'was quiet, but bewildered, that the passive defence and fire services were carrying on, and that the tele - phone girls were still at their posts. PARTIAL EVACUATION LONDON, February 16. Berlin radio, quoting the Tokio newspaper “Asahi,” says that the largest part of the British and Australian forces obviously left Singapore last Friday for Sumatra. More than 30 ships, all more than 1,000 tons, and also a 10,000-ton cruiser were anchored at Singapore on Friday night. All were gone by Saturday morning. This report adds that only Chinese and Malays remain in Singapore. The Domei News Agency stated that the British forces in Singapore at the time of the surrender numbered 60,000, including the campaigning forces, and also 15,000 British fortress guards and volunteers, also 13,000 Australians. The remainder are Indians. There are 1,000,000 inhabitants still in Singapore, including 100,000 British. NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION "RUGBY, Feb. 16. There is no official information from British sources regarding the evacuation of any Allied forces from Singapore, as the Japanese have been stating. The policy at Singapore was to fight to the last man, and it is stated by official quarters in London that it would be misleading to imply that there was anv large-scale withdrawal of troops. Some evacuation of women and children, and wounded, however, has taken place. The forces at Singapore included the 18th British Division, two-thirds of the Eighth Australian Division, the Ninth and Eleventh Indian Divisions, and certain fortress troops. It is impossible to estimate the number of troops involved, as the British forces have been constantly engaged in the bitter Malayan fighting, and probably weakened by casualties.

N.Z. UNITS SAFE! WELLINGTON, February 16. The evacuation from Singapore, before the fall of the city, of the New Zealand aerodrome construction personnel, was announced by the Minister of Defence, (Mr. Jones), in a special statement, issued to-night: “A message has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington,” said Mr. Jones, “to the effect that the New Zealand aerodrome construction unit, which has been operating in the Far East, was evacuated before the fall of Singapore.” Mr. Jones also announced that the Air Department has been advised that the personnel of the New Zealand Fighter Squadron who were at Singapore are also reported safe. Immediately on receipt of further information, it will be made available to the public. GENERAL TOJO’S SPEECH

LONDON, February 16. Speaking to the Diet on the fall of Singapore, the Japanese Prime Minister (General Tojo) began by repeating Japan’s war aim of a coprosperity sphere in East Asia under Japanese domination. “Australia and New Zealand should avoid a useless war in relying on Britain and America.* No reliance can be placed on them. Whether the peoples of Australia and New Zealand

are to enjoy happiness depends upon whether their Governments understand Japan’s real intentions—her just attitude to them.” General Tojo warned the Japanese people that they still had to deal a crushing blow at the United States and Britain, and their satellites. The Tokio radio has quoted "Nicni Nichi” as saying: One of the aims of Japan’s policy toward Australia will be the abolition of those Australian laws which, hitherto, have practically prohibited Japanese immigration to Australia.” . JAPANESE ASSURANCE. (Rec. 1.55 p.m.) BATAVIA, Feb. 16. A Tokio message states that General Yamashita assured General Percival that Japan accepted full responsibility for the lives of the British and Australian troops, and British wo- • men and children in Singapore. He declared: “You can rely on the Japanese.”