Two U.S. Cruisers at Brisbane

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 186, 7 August 1941, Page 7

Two U.S. Cruisers at Brisbane

UNHERALDED VISITORS SIDNEY, Aug. 5. Two United States cruisers, each of 900 U tons and with a complement of 700 men, arrived unexpectedly and unheralded at Brisbane to-day. The visit is officially stated to be part of a training cruise. The vessels are the Walt Lake City and the Northampton. They are under the command of Rear-Admiral Bherwood Taffinder. “We just dropped in for two or three days to get oil and provisions,” said Bear-Admiral Taffinder in an explanation of the visit. He added that, as far as he knew r , Brisbane 1 would be the only port of call in ‘ Australia.

At Washington the United States Navy Office made an official statement that the two heavy cruisers Northampton and Salt Lake City, with RearAdmiral Taffindcr commanding the detachment, while on a training cruise called at Brisbane to refuel and to afford several days’ recreation to the personnel of the ships’ companies. s The Associated Press of America, in referring to the foregoing explanation, said that “training cruise” was a bit of diplomatic understatement which j would deceive nobody. Perhaps the unexpected appearance of the vessels in Australian waters was to impress upon Japan the seriousness of American opposition to a Japanese southward drive, the agency added.

A blunt ,warning to Japan that Australia was determined and ready to defend her interests in the Far East was issued yesterday by the Minister of the Army, Mr. Spender. He said that Australia was not prepared to surrender at the point of the gun vital interests and responsibilities which it was Australia’s duty to guard. Nor was she prepared to see them whittled away by a steady encroachment or infiltration.

He pointed out that Indo-Cliia?., Malaya and Thailand were as close neighbours of Australia as they were of Japan, and remarked: “We look with misgiving on the arrival of Japanese forces in Indo-China. Indications are not lacking that Japan intends to go even further.

‘‘Talk by Japan about protection is only a pretext for aggression. Australia, if necessary, will give ringing proof I hat she means to keep control of her ’destiny. Britain has no designs on Indo-China, and a similar declaration by Japan would be welcome.” The Minister announced that more than 160,000 men had so far enlisted in the A.1.F., and that of this number about 90,000 were overseas.

Last night the Navy Minister, Mr. W. M. Hughes, pointed out that the assistance the United States was giving Britain in the Atlantic would enable Britain to send a fleet to the Pacific if it were needed.

Thig statement is reported to have given satisfaction throughout Malaya, and a correspondent in Singapore says that the knowledge that a British fleet is available has been a welcome reassurance.