TROOPS MASSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24050, 22 August 1941, Page 7

TROOPS MASSING

JAPANESE IN INDO-CHINA BURMA ROAD MENACE PUSH BELIEVED PLANNED (Reed. 12.-10 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 21 While crack Chinese troops continue to concentrate on the IndoChina border, cables the New York Times correspondent from Hongkong, the Japanese are massing near northern Indo-China. It is believed they intend to make a large-scale drive toward the Burma Road as soon as their armies in southern Indo-China have consolidated their positions. Their intensive bombing of Kunming and other places is regarded as confirmation of this plan. Japanese Army Restless Foreign observers believe that unless the Japanese Cabinet can announce definite gains the Army will take over the Government and pursue a stronger policy, says the special correspondent of the New York Times. The Japanese Army is definitely opposed to the present Cabinet, which is labelled a Navy Cabinet, adds the correspondent. The Army contends that now is the time for action rather than for an attempt to maintain friendly relations with America and Britain.

Some circles are even of the opinion that the attempted assassination of the former Prime Minister, Baron Hirantima, may be the forerunner of a large number of fatal attacks on Government leaders. North and South Move The Army at present is divided. One section desires an immediate attack on the Soviet. The other section prefers to move southward against Thailand, the East Indies and Malaya. It says that these territories are richer in necessary materials and have a more congenial climate. German fifth columnists in Tokio are egging on the Army partisans. They hope to overthrow the Navy and substitute an Army Government, and thus bring Japan actively on the side of the Axis.

A message l'rom Tokio says it is announced that the Manchukuo and Mongolia border demarcation lias been concluded. The Domei news agency representative at Hsingking said it embraces -MOO kilometres. Representatives of -Japan. Manchukuo and Soviet Mongolia are to meet at Harhiu on September 22 to prepare the final documents

NEW JAPANESE MAP ENGLISH NAMES REPLACED (Ren). 12.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 21 The New York Times correspondent in Tokio says much interest has been aroused in diplomatic quarters by new Japanese maps sold on the bookstalls showing as a new Japanese possession the whole of the group of islands and coral reefs extending from Spratley Island in the west to Half Moon Shoal, 70 miles from Palawan, in the Philippines.

The group of islands and reefs, which have Knglish names on the old maps, now have the Japanese name of Shinnan Gonto, or New Southern Islands. DRASTIC PETROL DECREE LONDON, August 21 In order to conserve petrol Japan has ordered that all petrol-driven coaches, cabs and cars must be off the roads by September 1. BUREAU OF AFFAIRS INFORMATION FOR TROOPS (Reed. 7.; H) p.m.) LONDON, August 20 The Army Council has announced the inauguration of an Army Bureau of Current Affairs—a new popular educator for the troops.

The bureau will develop within the army systematic methods of informing all ranks of events, policy and personalities of the world at war. It will also supply every officer with weekly bulletins on the basis of which lie can inform and instruct his men about current affairs and the progress of the war.

in addition, the service of the bureau will include the provision of information, films, photographs, a radio digest for the troops abroad, travelling exhibitions and special speakers. STRIKE AT DETROIT i Heed. 5.5 p.m.) DETROIT, August 20 In spite of the recent agreement substantially improving their wages and working conditions, the tramcar and bus operators at Detroit went on strike and 750.000 workers in huge defence industries have been left without transport to their jobs. The dispute has been caused by rivalry between the American Federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Organisations.