AMERICAN CHECK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20636, 11 December 1941, Page 6

AMERICAN CHECK

JAP. ONSLAUGHT LANDINGS REPELLED TRANSPORTS BOMBED (Else. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 11, 2.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. The defeat of the Japanese attempt to land on the west coast Of Luzon is announced in a communique issued by the War Department. United States bombers attacked six Japanese transports engaged in landing operations and scored direct hits on three, one of which capsized. Three others were damaged. The transport which capsized sank immediately. No operations in the southern islands of the Philippines have yet been reported. A Manila message says that the Philippine constabulary captured enemy parachutists at Wigan, 200 miles north-west of Manila.

Informed circles in Manila say that the Japanese air force is using German equipment. German marked 20-millimetre shells were fired from Japanese planes in yesterday’s raid on Clarkfield. A United States communique states the situation in the northern Luzon area is unchanged. No further landings have been attempted. More than 100 bombs were dropped in the Manila area in Tuesday night’s raid. United States flyers shot down two of three Japanese bombers over Baguio to-day. Conference of Republics

The President, Senbr Baldomir, stated that Uruguay was virtually at war. United States warships could make free use of Uruguayan ports, while enemy ships would not be granted entry. The State Department has announced that at the suggestion of the Government of Chile a conference is to arranged at the earliest possible moment of the Foreign Minister of 20 American republics to discuss defence.

A Mexico City message states that General Camacho, the president, has pledged the assistance of the Mexican Army and Navy to the United States in the conflict against Japan, but §aid that at present Mexico’s part would be fought in- the factories instead of the trenches. A message from Buenos Aires states that Argentina formally declared the United States non-belligerent to-night in a decree which permits United States warships to use Argentina ports without time limit,’ but also decreed that Argentina would maintain her neutrality towards both Britain and Japan. The Argentina' Embassy has taken charge of Australian interests in Tokio. \

The Swiss Legation at Tokio has undertaken to care for United States interests in Japan, while the Argentine Embassy will endeavour to protect British interests.