THE BURMA ROAD

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 7

THE BURMA ROAD

REOPENING BY BRITAIN JAPAN NOT PERTURBED TOKIO, October 6. The ‘ Asahi’s ’ Hanoi correspondent says the British re-opening of the Burma road will not affect Japan because, with the landing of Japanese planes at Hanoi on June 10, under the terms of the agreement between Japan and Indo-China, the Japanese army, now has complete air supremacy in Yunnan and Szechwan. In view of this, aerial destruction of the Burma route is considered “ very easy.” ROAD EXPECTED TO BE REOPENED LONDON, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11.50 a.m.)’ The ‘ Evening News ’ says Britain will not renew the agreement expiring on October 18 by which the Burma road was closed. Mr Churchill is expected to announce its reopening shortly. FAR EASTERN STATUS QUO AMERICA'S POSITION DISPOSITION OF FLEET WASHINGTON, October 7. Admiral Richardson flew from tha coast, and will confer to-day with tha Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, and it is thought that a decision concerning the disposition of the United States Fleet is likely. Diplomats said that implementation of the entire Far Eastern policy may, hinge on the outcome of the conference, and they presume that a wide range of subjects will be discussed bearing on the United States’s ability to maintain her position as a supporter of the Far Eastern statue quo, including the possible joint use of Singapore and Australian bases. IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS LORD LOTHIAN AND MR HULL WASHINGTON, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11.35 a.m.). Admiral Richardson arrived from thd Pacific Coast and conferred with Admiral Stark and then met Colonel Knox, who announced: “ Routine reports of the fleet were received, and the situation in the Pacific and matters pertaining to the expansion o£ the naval establishment were discussed.” Admiral Richardson plans to remains in Washington for several days. Lord Lothian, the British Ambassador, conferred with Mr Cordell Hull and afterwards indicated that the who!* Far Eastern situation was lengthily discussed. Lord Lothian did noti divulge details and said he had not yotj been advised officially of Britain's decision to reopen the Burma road Mr R. G. Casey, the Australian Minister, visited Mr Sumner Welles. AIR RAIDS ON CHUNGKING BIG CASUALTY LIST CHUNGKING, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.30 a.m.) The latest estimates are 300 killed and 500 wounded in yesterday’s bombing of Chungking’s suburbs. Chengtn reports 120 killed and 500 wounded in Friday and Saturday’s bombings, including students in the Central University Medical College. BRITISH BLOCKADE UPHELD BY AMERICANS LONDON, October 7. Fifteen prominent Americans hav« issued a statement upholding the British blockade, and announcing that iti was their reluctant, but considered, judgment that the United States of America should not feed the stricken people of Europe unless with the full approval of Great Britain. No external pressure, the statement adds, should b® brought to bear on Great Britain to relax the blockade. The statement is signed by the presidents of Harvard and Princeton Universities, tbe president of the American Federation of Labour, and a number of leading business men and clergy. AMERICAN TANKS 137 DELIVERED TO CANADA OTTAWA, October 7. (Received October 8, at 9.20 a.m.) The Defence Minister. Mr Ralston, announced that 137 over-age Amen an tanks had been delivered to Can; d» over tbe week-end. “ They will be very useful for training purposes,” he said. “We certainly appreciate getting them.” RETAIN GOVERNMENT FOREIGN REPORTS DENIES VICHY, October 7. Foreign reports that the Axis invited the Retain Government to declare war on Britain are officially denied.