SINGAPORE FRICTION

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1941, Page 5

SINGAPORE FRICTION

“Scorched Earth” Idea OPPOSED BY CIVIL AUTHORITIES. (Rec. 11.35). SINGAPORE, Dec. 30. , The friction existing between the military authorities and the civil administration of Malaya regarding the adoption of a. “Scorched Earth” policy, may end with the establishment of martial law throughout the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. The Singapore Free Press reveals that th P Civil Administration has protested against the “Scorched Earth” policy in areas occupied by the Japanese. The Administration’s spokesman on the Malayan War Council has advocated the policy of “denial” as oopo.sed to that of demolition on the ground that valuable nlant might b’e needed when British forces regain the territory occupied. Th e Singapore Free Press adds: The Administration’s unreal and hesitant policy towards the Japanese invaders is bringing matters between the civil and military authorities to a head. Not one responsible observer returning from the areas adjacent to the battle zone has anything better to. report than a dwindling of confidence in the civil Government by both the Europeans and the Asiatics. The Civil Service has functioned satisfactorily in the nalmy days of tin and rubber booms, but mow it is, apparently unable to adjust itself to the exigencies of war. At the same time, it is unwilling to surrender any of its powers to military authorities ” CHINESE MILITARY EXPERTS. ARRIVE AT SINGAPORE. (Rec. 11.35). SINGAPORE, Dec. 3'l. Two Chinese military experts, from Chungking. Major-General Chengkaimun and Colonel Tu. have arrived m Singapore. Thev are conferring with the Commander-in-Chief. Sir T. Pownall. It is believed that this in-

I dicates closer co-operation in this theatre of the Far Eastern War. R.A.F. RAID. LONDON. Dec. 29. Medium R.A.F. bombers carried out another attack on the aerodrome at Sungei Patani, Malaya, last night, causing a number of fires and explosions. Reconnaissances confirm that during the attack on the. same target on the previous night, seven enemy fighters and three heavy bombers were destroyed and five other enemy fighters badly damaged. Japs, in Sumatra FIGHT FOR MEDAN. LONDON, December 29. Fierce fighting is going on for Medan in the north-east of the island of Sumatra, where Japanese aeroplanes were reported earlier to have dropped parachutists. Medan is about 160 miles south-west of Penang from which Sumatra is separated by the Malacca Strait. Enemy ’planes have bombed Medan. Dutch War Plane Destroyed AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS’ LETTERS LOST. (Rec. 1.50)« BATAVIA, Dec. 30. A K.L.M. Dutch plane was destroyed during the Japanese bombing of The 'TTSaurT aerodrome in Sumatra. It contained 31 bags of Australian mail, destined for the Australian troops in the Near East. All of this mail has been lost. IN NEW GUINEA. JAPANESE AIR RAID. LONDON, Dec. 29. Fires are still burning following attacks by Japanese aircraft in the north of New Guinea. CELEBES ISLAND RAIDED. BY JAPANESE. LONDON, Dec. 29. Japanese aircraft have made an attack on the Dutch island of Celebes, east of Borneo. PONTIANAK CASUALTIES. LONDON, Dec. 29. A Batavia message says that the number of dead, as the result of the Japanese air raid on Ppntianak, now totals 128. JAPS. IN BORNEO. KUCHING CAPTURED. TOKIO, December 29. It is officially announced that in Borneo the Sarawak town, Kuching, has been captured by the Japanese. LONDON, Dec. 29. Reports regarding Sarawak confirm the Japanese occupation of Kuching. AUSTRALIANS BOMB JAPANESE VESSEL. LONDON, Dec. 29. Royal Australian Air Force bombers carried out an attack on a small Japanese war vessel, and scored several direct hits, the stern of the ship being set ablaze. CHINESE OPERATIONS. LONDON, Dec. 29. A Chinese communique states that the Japanese have been driven back to the original positions south-east of Kweichinone. An enemy detachment is surrounded. Enemy forces were routed at another point nearby, suffering heavy losses. Chinese lines north-east of Wuninhsien are holding firmly. The Hunan battle is being fought in a heavy snowstorm. CHINESE ESCAPE. FROM HONG KONG. CHUNGKING, Dec. 29. Admiral Chanchek, Chinese representative at Hong Kong, escaped by boat at the last minute. He arrived in a northern Kwantung village, with 100 Chinese soldiers, who took part in the Hong Kong defence. Other Chinese leaders and some Britons also escaped. U.S.A. SHIPS SUNK. LONDON, Dec. 29. It is reported from Honolulu that submarines sank the American freighters “Prusa” and Manin.” Nine were killed and twelve are. missing.