New Aim To Sever Burma Road

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1941, Page 5

New Aim To Sever Burma Road

NEW YORK, October 24. Japanese troop movements during the past 48 hours have at last clarified the intentions of the new Japanese Government, says Mr Vincent Sheean, the “New York Herald Tribune’s'' correspondent at Singapore. What they indicate, he adds, is neither a northern nor a southern adventure, but an attack on the Burma Road by way of the Yunnan province, which, if successful, would cut China's lifeline and render American aid impossible. Would Prevent Aid Mr Sheean proceeds: “My informalion is that the Japanese are now landing fresh troops at Haiphong and Canton, while movements of their forces in Upper Tongking, along the Yunnan border has been going on for about a week, and railroad equipment is being brought up there as if for the reconstruction and use of the Yunnan railroad.

“The troops at Haiphong are intended merely as a threatening gesture towards Hongkong. Simultaneously, Japanese troops are moving towards the Thailand border in Cambodia to guard the southern flank. “If the Japanese can drive through to Kunming, they hope to check American plans for aid to China without involving Japan in war with any major power.”