Another Jap. Liner Reported Stopped By Warship

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1940, Page 5

Another Jap. Liner Reported Stopped By Warship

NEW YORK, January 23. The Japanese Domei News Agency says naval officials have discussed measures designed to prevent a recurrence of the Asama Maru incident, says a message from Tokio. It is believed that a neutrality patrol may be established in the event of another case of Germans being removed from Japanese ships, at least three of which are in the Pacific at present, all carrying Germans. The United States Collector of Customs at Honolulu reports that a British warship stopped the Japanese liner Tatuta Maru between California and Honolulu, apparently seeking five Germans reported to be aboard. Ship Not Searched. According to officials of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line, the Tatuta Maru was not searched. The first hint that the vessel had been stopped near Hawaii was contained in a report that the liner WflS urgently communicating with Tokio. asking for instructions. A lengthy exchange of messages with Tokio followed. The Tatuta Maru sailed from San Francisco on January 18. It was intended that she should carry part of the crew of the scuttled German vessel Columbus, but the German Consul, at the last minute, cancelled the booking. Report Cleared Up. A later message from Honolulu says a warship stopped the Tatuta Maru 12 hours out from San Francisco. Five German passengers decided to disembark at Honolulu. The captain of the vessel says he was unable fio ascertain the warship’s nationality. A Daventry broadcast says the reports appear to be cleared up by a message from the captain of the Japanese vessel, stating that during the night .a warship of unknown nationality had asked the name and nationality of the ship by flash signals.