COASTAL PATROL OF CALIFORNIA

Southland Times, Issue 23393, 28 December 1937, Page 7

COASTAL PATROL OF CALIFORNIA

SEIZURE OF JAPANESE MAILS ESPIONAGE ON BIG SCALE SUSPECTED NEW YORK, December 26. The United States Navy has tightened up its patrol of Californian waters and Customs officials have made further seizures of mail on board Japanese liners. , These reports are given further impetus by the news that the Government is actively investigating a possible espionage plot of broad scope. Packets containing approximately 400 letters are reported to have been seized on board the Hokka Maru, the Kinai. Maru and a third unnamed Japanese vessel at Los Angeles. The mail did not go through the regular postal channels but was included with the company papers in packages handled only by company agents. It is reported unofficially that the Mexican Government is co-operating with the United States in checking and inspecting “alien craft.” It is rumoured that Mexico sent several armed patrol boats to the Mexican west coast. Another re ~rt says that one of Mexico’s new super gunboats has been assigned to patrol and to check the activities of the tuna fishing fleets off southern California. Alien hydrographic experts were discovered making soundings and charts in southern Californian waters. JAPAN DEPRECATES NAVAL MOVEMENTS “UNNECESSARY WARLIKE ATMOSPHERE” PEIPING, December 25. Newspapers sold like hot cakes as a result of vendors’ cries, “England, Japan and America in the war.” Apparently the scare was based on the Domei news agency’s report of the British discussions on naval reinforcements and America’s reported movement of destroyers on the Pacific Coast, which the Domei agency considers incomnrehensible and sensational, creating an unnecessary and serious warlike atmosphere.