Britain Puts Jap Tankers On The Spot

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1941, Page 5

Britain Puts Jap Tankers On The Spot

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 23. A message from Los Angeles says the British Consulate has listed 11 Japanese whalers and tankers as being on Britain’s “ships’ list.” The announcement, which appeared in the Los Angeles Commercial News as an official British Government notice, said: “Charterers and shippers are advised in their own interests that by reason of the' contravention of British regulations, the British Government will impose all disabilities in its power on the trading of the undermentioned vessels.” The ships are the Tonan Maru, Tonan Maru 11, Tonan Maru 111, Itukussima Maru, Hokusin • Maru, Sinsei Maru, Sinoy Maru, Ryoka Maru, Nissen Maru, Nissen Maru 11, Kyokuyo Maru. The Itukussima Maru was recently constructed in Japan as a naval reserve tanker.

British Reprisals

Reports have been frequently circulated on the waterfront that Britain was evolving some form of reprisal against Japanese tankers and whalers suspected of supplying fuel to German raiders. It is pointed out that all the vessels listed are equipped with powerful short-wave radio, which could be used to inform Tokio of British movements. The Tonan Maru 111 is expected to arrive at Los Angeles today. The Kyokuyo Maru sailed yesterday for Tokio with. 150,000 barrels of oil. According to a report from Tokio. the Domei Official News Agency stated that the Foreign Office attached much significance to information received regarding action alleged to be pending in the United States Congress against Japan, indicating that it is proposed to ban the export of oil to Japan.