REDS' NEXT MOVE IN MALAYA

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1948, Page 5

REDS' NEXT MOVE IN MALAYA

—Reuter

Proclamation Of Soviet Republic Expected In August Challenge To Singapore May Follow

(N.Z.P.A.-

Copyriaht)

1%.-*' Eeceived Thursday, 10.40 a.m. SINGAPORE, July 14. The Malayan Communists are expected to proclaim a Soviet Republic of Malaya in the first week of August, it was reliably learned in Singapore today. They are expected soon afterwards to seek a trial of strength 011 Singapore Island, with possible attacks against strategic installations and police stations. At the same time they will try to foment further industrial trouble. The authorities are taking the- Inspector-General of the Palestine strongest counter-measures to pre- police is expected to become next vent the infiltration of Communist High Commissioner of the Federaleaders from the mainland to the tion of Malaya in succession to Sir island. Edward Gent. It is believed that the Governor events cause the belief oi Malaya, Mr. MacDonald, had »hat t,here ,are not enough troops this in mimi when he gave a warn- |n Malaya to aftord adequate proing recently that tei&rtam might ™ "MgaHtoand to shortly spread to Singapore. Sertous shortage OI MrelJss equipThe police have already rounded ment, which is essential in view- of up most of the 'undesirable ele- y^e terrorists' practice of cutting ments" and confidently believe that telephone* lines before well planned they are powerful enough in Smga- attacks. The terrorists thus far pore Island. to deal effectively with exploited to the full surprise, any terrorist challenge. mobility, flexibility, concentration . Colonel W. N. Gray, former and concealment.