MOVING SOUTHWARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 4 June 1941, Page 6

MOVING SOUTHWARD

JAP. BORDER TROOPS

‘FIRST FRUITS” OF PACT

NEW YORK, May 31

Large bodies of Japanese troops are leaving the Russian frontier—Manehukuo, Korea, and North China —and ‘aking ship southward, reports the Shanghai correspondent of the New Tork Times. Ports of exit are witnessing the departure of whole divisions with their artillery, mechanised weapons, hospitals and supply columns.

The destination of the transports into which they are being loaded is not disclosed, but it is. assumed to be Formosa or South China. Observers believe that these troops are being got into position to strike at Singapore and the Dutch East Indies if and when Japan senses her opportunity, says the correspondent. This departure of troops is described as “the first fruits of Japan’s nonaggression pact with Russia.” Other reports reaching Shanghai indicate that all is not well on the Japanese home front. The Prime. Minister, Prince Konoye, supported by businessmen, financiers and politicians, is said to have declared his unwiflingness to risk further adventures. He is not certain what America will do, and the domestic economic situation is troubling him.