JAP. SEA RAIDERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 9 December 1941, Page 6

JAP. SEA RAIDERS

PREYING ON SHIPS PACIFIC & INDIAN OCEANS TWO U.S. VESSELS SUNK j (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) Rec. Dec. 9, 11 a.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 8. The Washington correspondent of [he New York Times says it is reliably stated that Japan has sent a number of commerce raiders to the Pacific and Indian Oceans to prey on merchant ships carrying war materials to Britain and America. It is understood that all Allied ships have been warned of the presence of the raiders, who are attempting to take advantage of the period before the Allied defences are mobilised.

Distress signals have been received from ail American vessel, presumably a freighter, 700 miles west of San Francisco, indicating that Japanese submarines are strung out over this area. The Panama police rounded up all Japanese and are holding them under a heavy guard. A National Broadcasting Company message from Manila says that the United States transport, General Hugh Scot, formerly the President Pierce, was sunk 1600 miles from Manila and the President Harrison was either seized or sunk off'. Shanghai.