AMERICAN CRUISERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 6

AMERICAN CRUISERS

VISIT TO BRISBANE WARNING TO JAPAN LONDON, Aug. 13. America’s decision to make a naval demonstration at Brisbane instead of at Singapore is seen as a concession to United States isolationists. The surprise arrival of the cruisers Salt Lake City and Northampton at Brisbane is welcomed by the British and American public as an unmistakable warning to Japan. The arrival of the cruisers coincided with a British announcement of strong reinforcements of Empire forces at Singapore. This timing, military and political observers'state, was not accidental. They believe the point will not be lost on Japan. . Rabid American isolationists might have objected to “a show of force” at Singapore at this delicate stage, but even the most extreme isolationists scarcely could object to a demonstration at -a friendly Australian port. The announcement of a training cruise is regarded as a “diplomatic understatement.”

The announcement simply said that the cruisers, “while on a training cruise to the South Pacific Ocean, save put into Brisbane for refuelling and to give the personnel several days’ recreation.” All United States newspapers put the words “training cruise” in quotation marks. It is only five months since American warships last visited Australia on a “training cruise.”