Timely Arrival Of Britain’s Eastern Fleet At Singapore

Northern Advocate, 3 December 1941, Page 5

Timely Arrival Of Britain’s Eastern Fleet At Singapore

U.S. Government Asks Japs To Explain

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

TOKIO, December 2

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPRESENTATIVE IN SHANG--1 HAI REPORTS THAT THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY HAS ORDERED ALL BRITISH CHINA COAST SHIPPING TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO HONGKONG.

The United States State Department has officially announced that President Roosevelt has directed the Under-Secretary for State (Mr. Sumner Welles) to ask the Japanese Government for an explanation of the moves into Indo-China and towards Thailand, states a Washington message.

President Roosevelt summoned Mr. Cordell Hull, the Secretary for War (Mr. H. L. Stimson), and the Secretary for the Navy (Colonel Frank Knox), to a conference at the White House.

Mr. Kurusu and Admiral Nomura had an hour’s conference with Mr. Welles. Admiral Nomura said afterwards: “We are not in a position to disclose anything. He talked and we listened.”

The Associated Press Tokio correspondent says the Washington correspondent of the newspaper “Asahi” asserted that the closing of the Japanese consulates in the United States is imminent. This is the first public reference to such action, although well-informed foreign circles have predicted the step.

Still

The Japanese Government’s deputy spokesman (Mr. Ichi Kiehi), said today: “There is a fairly big difference of opinion. However, Japan is hopeful, and for that reason is continuing the Washington negotiations.

A message from Singapore states that, led by Britain’s new battleship Prince of Wales, the first reinforcements of Britain’s new Eastern Fleet have arrived at the Singapore naval base.

Admiral Sir Tom Phillips’ flagship was followed by other large units and a number of small units.

While security reasons prevent the disclosure of the exact strength of the new arrivals, it can be said that the Eastern Fleet already consists of a number of heavy ships supported by all necessary fleet auxiliaries.

No Need To Worry

Admiral Phillips has been in Singapore for a week. There was no elaborate ceremonial associated with either his or the Fleet's arrival. The comment in Singapore tonight is on the timeliness of the fleet's arrival. The feeling is widespread here that it is unnecesary to worry too much about the threat of war while capital ships are based at Singapore. The Eastern Fleet will rank in importance with the Home and Mediterranean Fleets says the London “Daily Telegraph’s’’ naval correspondent. He adds that the Eastern Fleet is undertion, East Indies Squadron, Royal Ausstood to include ships of the China statralian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy. Reinforcements Reinforcements for the Royal Navy Eastern Fleet arrived at Singapore this afternoon. Watchers on the waterfront saw large units of the navy sailing majestically past Singapore Island, miles out at sea, in a northerly direction, towards the entrance of Johore Straits, where the naval base is situated. The news circulated rapidly throughout Singapore, causing the greatest jubilation. Correspondents are now leaving for the base for an inspection of the ships, which include ships world-famous for previous exploits in other theatres of war. Japs. Off Sarawak A message from Batavia says that in connection with the increased tension in the Pacific, the newly-appoint-ed Netherlands Colonial Minister (Dr. van Mook), has delayed his departure for London. Only the Minister for Commerce (M. Kersterns) will leave next week via Australia and the United States. The Japanese fleet which was previously reported to he moving south is now off Sarawak, the British protectorate in North Borneo, says Colin Fraser, cabling the “Sydney Sun” from Singapore. He adds that experts there say that if necessary the oil fields in Borneo can be blown up immediately hostile action begins. All equipment has been removed. Tokio Cabinet Reshuffle A mtssage from Hongkong says the majority of the Japanese troops in the Chungshan district of Ivwantung province are reported to have been transferred to Hainan Island, where many are being trained in parachuting. The Japanese Cabinet has been reshuffled in view of the tense international situation. The Japanese Minister for Agriculture takes over the portfolio of Overseas Affairs, although Mr. Togo continues to be Foreign Minister. A Tokio spokesman repeated today that there is still a “fairly wide margin" * between the attitudes of the United States and Japan. Urges U.S. To Relent A message from London says that no news has been received to suggest that the situation is any less grave than was reported last night in messages from Washington. The Japanese Cabinet has decided to l continue the Washington talks “until the last moment.” In Tokio the United States is being urged to reconsider its attitude. State Department officials said that the conversations of Mr. Hull and the Japanese representatives concerned only subordinate phases of the negotiations. Vladivostok Precautions Later, State Department officials said that the Japanese reply to Mr. Hull’s document had not yet been rereceived, but it was expected soon. The Australian Minister for the Army (Mr. Forde), said yesterday: “There will be an immediate stocktaking to see that Australia has left nothing undone in her defence preparations.” The United States Navy Department disclosed today that the Soviet has proclaimed as a prohibited area the water around Vladivostok.