ON WAR FOOTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24142, 8 December 1941, Page 7

ON WAR FOOTING

AUSTRALIAN FORCES SWIFT STEPS TAKEN DEFENCES IN THE NORTH (Reed. C.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 7 Australian fighting forces were put on a war footing on Friday night, when news of a sudden deterioration in the Pacific situation was received. The question of war or peace in the Pacific may be decided within the next few days. The chief developments, as now known in Australia, are • (1) The almost certain breakdown of negotiations between the United States and Japan. (2) The continued steady southward movement of a Japanese amphibious expedition, with destination and objects which Japan has failed to declare in reply to inquiries by the United States. Collaboration With Dutch (3) The putting into operation on Friday of a section of previously-pre-pared plans for collaboration between Australia and the Netherlands Fast Indies in any circumstances which expose either country to the possibilities of aggression. (4) The consequent use, which has already begun, of Australian air and army units in strategic areas to the north of Australia. The Australian War Cabinet held a further emergency meeting on Friday night. Leave has been cancelled for all arms of the coastal defence forces. Contact With Other Powers

The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtln, cancelled his departure for Canberra, and all war Ministers were ordered to stand by during the week-end. The War Cabinet met again on Saturday.

The Federal Government Is hi dose contact with other Pacific countries which have mutual defence interests.

The chiefs of the fighting services have expressed complete satisfaction with the measures taken by Australia in the Near North, in collaboration with other Pacific Powers.

Late on Friday night shipping near the Australian coast was given certain instructions. It is understood that arrangements have been concluded for the convoying of American, British and Dutch merchant ships in the Pacific in the event of a state of war.

Every Precaution Taken

The Commonwealth Government is determined to have everything ready to put the country on a full war footing immediately should an extreme emergency occur.

Every possible precaution has been taken and the Government is satisfied that, if necessary, it will be able to muster the full striking power of the land, sea and air forces at a moment's notice.

General Sir Thomas Blarney, who is on his way back to the Middle East, said in an interview in Rangoon that Australia was in a greater state of preparedness to meet a threat to her security than at any previous time in her history. The position at Singapore was very strong, and the future could be faced with the greatest confidence. Further Deterioration Messages received from overseas by the Fedferal Ministry yesterday and to-day report further deterioration in the Far Eastern situation. However, it is hoped the appeal which President Roosevelt is making to the Emperor of Japan will prevent the spread of war to the Pacific.

No immediate action is being taken to call the Federal Parliament together, but the Cabinet will hold a further emergency meeting to-morrow to deal with any urgent developments. ARMED STRENGTH

DISPLAY IN SINGAPORE

ALL BRANCHES OF SERVICES (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) SINGAPORE, Dec. 7 Plans have been completed for the biggest march-past of troops ever seen in Singapore on Wednesday, when all branches of the services will take part. The column will be three miles long.' Detachments of English and Scottish infantry will be in tho lead, followed by Australians, Indians, British and Malay sappers, gunners, Straits Settlement Volunteers, then British, Eurasian and Chinese detachments of the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Johore Military Forces, then finally a long array of Bren gun carriers, armoured cars, anti-aircraft guns, artillery and searchlights.

The object of tho march is to show the various types of arms now being employed in the defence of Malaya, and give some idea of the great military strength of the fortress and its environs.

A squadron of Australian-built Bristol Beaufort bombers arrived in Singapore yesterday. /Tliey were flown from Australia with crews composed half of R.A.A.F. men and half of R.A.F. men. As Australian production of these aircraft increases, further squadrons are expected to reinforce the Far Eastern air fleet.

EVACUATION ORDERS

CIVILIANS IN MANILA

JAPANESE CALLED HOME diced. 8.15 p.m.) NEW YOT?K, Dec. 6

The immediate evacuation of all nonessential civilians from Manila, capital of the Philippine Islands, was requested to-day, says an agency message from Manila.

A Los Angeles message states that the National Broadcasting Company has picked up a Tokio radio announcement that the liner Asnma Maru has been ordered to Singapore and Borneo to evacuate Japanese nationals. An agency message from Tokio says ifc is reported that the large Japanese shipping company, the Nippon Yusen Kaisya, has recalled its chief executives from Singapore and Bombay. Certain attaches at the Japanese Embassy in Washington have been recalled. The Japanese Cabinet Information Board said they had merely been transferred to other posts, and the Domei news agency claimed they had been dismissed.

A report current in Now York is that Colonel Tadarumi and LieutenantColonel Ariu Uchida, military attaches, have been recalled from Washington.