HOSPITAL SHIP CENTAUR

Grey River Argus, 3 December 1943, Page 4

HOSPITAL SHIP CENTAUR

JAPAN DENIES SINKING HER. NEW YORK, Dec. 1. The Japanese Information Board spokesman denied that a Japanese submarine sank the Australian hospital ship Centaur. He announced that the Japanese Government ha'd rejected the Australian protest. The spokesman, Sadao Igmichi, was quoted by, the Tokio radjo as saying that investigations showeci the charge that Japanese sank the Centaur was without foundation. This reply was transmitted through' the protecting Power. , ~ Japan, has protested to Australia, Britain and America against illegal and wanton nlane and submarine attacks against' Japanese hospital ships. No reply has been received to earlier protests. Jap Denial Refuted BY AUSTRALIAN MINISTER (Rec. 9.55) SYDNEY, Dec. 2. Australia’s Minister for the Army, Hon F M. Forde, to-day characterised as “subtle propaganda” the official denial by the Tokio radio that a Japanese submarine sank the Australian hospital ship “Centaur” on May 5 last.

“The Japanese now realise,” he said, “that public opinion throughout the world condemns them for their cowardly action. This’ belated disclaimer will fail to convince any citizens of the United Nations, that Japan was not responsible for the sinking of the ship and the loss of the personnel, including many nurses.”