SEIZED ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 13

SEIZED ISLAND

JAPAN'S INTENTION HAINAN TO BE HELD RESISTANCE MUST END EVACUATION CONDITION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Independent Cablo Service (Received February 17, 0.40 p.m.) TOKIO, Feb. 17 The Asahi Shimbun says Japan will occupy Hainan Island as long as Chiang Kai-shek resists. The Japanese must remain in South China while Britain and France continue to aid China.

Admiral Kanazawa says armed junks had been transhipping arms at sea and taking them to Hainan to await a favourable moment to run them to the mainland. This is now impossible. NETHERLANDS VIEW JAPAN PRE-OCCUPI ED THE HAGUE, Feb. 10 Tile possibility of tho Japanese using Hainan Island as a base for an attack on tho Netherlands East Indies was mentioned in Parliament to-day. For the Government, tho Speaker replied that while the strategic importance of Hainan, in the event of a conflict in the Pacific was undeniable, Japan at present was sufficiently pre-occupied.

NAVAL OPERATIONS

JAPAN WARNS SHIPPING LONDON, Feb. 16 Preparatory to further naval operations, foreign ships have been asked to withdraw 30 miles from Haimenting, a port north of Shanghai, Japan disclaiming responsibility for damage to those refusing, states a message from Tokio. Haimenting's trade has greatly increased since the occupation of the larger ports.

AMERICA'S INTERESTS

Independent Cable Service LONDON, Feb. 16 Informed circles believe that one of the reasons for the sudden return from America a fortnight earlier than scheduled, of Mr. J. P. Kennedy, United States Ambassador in London, was due to America's desire for a joint British-French-United States demarche regarding the Japanese occupation of Hainan.