ALLIED TROOPS

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21480, 23 July 1941, Page 6

ALLIED TROOPS

REPORTED MISSING IN GREECE AND CRETE PRISONERS IN GERMANY (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ftt; (Received July 23, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 22 The first 8000 of 20,000 men reported missing after the evacuation of Greece and Crete have arrived in Germany and have been placed in prison camps. The names are beginning to ccme through from Berlin through neutral channels. WOMEN REPLACE MEN AUSTRALIA’S WAR EFFORT SHORTAGE OF MAN-POWER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 23, 3.15 p.m.) CANBERRA, July 23 The Commonwealth Government is preparing plans to place thousands of additional women in industry. One official estimate is that industry will be employing 250,000 more women before the war ends. Most uf these women will release skilled men for war industries and replace men who have enlisted. Investigations disclosed that all reserves of skilled mpn-power are being rapidly exhausted. At least 50,000 skilled men will be needed for new war factories alone this financial year. The man-power authorities fear that unless more women are placed in work soon Australia will face a labour shortage. BIG DEVELOPMENTS JAPANESE MOVEMENTS MOBILISATION OF TROOPS (United Press Assn— ’ r «l. convrt<rht’, LONDON, July 22 Big developments seem to be imminent in the Far East. The Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, has cancelled his press conference, which was to have been held today. No reason has been given. Prince Konoye has given no interviews to the press since the formation of his new Cabinet last week. News has been received in London of large-scale mobilisation throughout the country. Reservists are being called to the colours, and lorries and other vehicles are being requisitioned. The new Japanese Foreign Minister, Admiral Toyoda, is stated to have given an assurance to Germany and Italy that Japan will continue to uphold the spirit and aims of the Three-Power Pact. Newspapers in Tokio have taken a sharper tone against French Indochina. Menace to Indo-China When the Japanese newspapers declare the new Japanese Government brings no change of policy they seem to be writing the truth, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Times. Before Prince Konoye resigned last week, much evidence coming to Britain suggested that Japan was planning to take over naval and air bases in French IndoChina. After Prince Konoye returned to power with “a stronger Cabinet,” the evidence has pointed more clearly toward action very soon. Movements of troops and warships confirm the diplomatic and political evidence. The Vichy Government is aware that demands are being made, and is equally aware that Japan will use force if she is resisted. The newspapers in Tokio have taken a sharper tone against Indo-China. Such comment is a customary preamble to demands. In the usual vocabulary of aggression, the Japanese are already excusing any move they may make by declaring themselves menaced and alleging that the British and Americans are increasing their influence in Thailand, and thereby are “encircling” Japan. A glance at the map shows the hollowness of this pretence. Bangkok, “the menace” to Japan, is about 2900 miles from Tokio, and Thailand, which the Japanese covet, is about 290 miles from Singapore. Agreement With Britain The Nichi Nichi today gave prominence to a Domei news agency report from Hongkong that the Chungking Government had concluded a secret military agreement with Britain and General de Gaulle, under which Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s troops in Kwangsi and Yunnan are preparing to invade northern IndoChina, and Britain is reported to have started preparations for transporting native troops to southern Indo-China.