UNDER JAPANESE CONQUEST

Evening Star, Issue 24325, 14 October 1942, Page 3

UNDER JAPANESE CONQUEST

CONDITIONS IN STRAITS SETTLEMENTS CHUNGKING, October 12. Executions figure largely in the vigorous Japanese campaign to “ Nippouise ” the Straits Settlements. This was reported by the first Chinese to reach. Chungking from Malaya since the fall of Singapore, after seven months ot dangerous travel through 'Thailand, Indo-China, and occupied China. ' He said that in Singapore and Penang the Japanese arrested a large number, particularly students, and many were executed because they rejected Japanese “ friendly moves.” The majority Of the rubber plantations and tin mines are still shut down. There is a serious food shortage, particularly in South-east Malaya, where thousands are threatened with starvation. Frequently friction between tha Japanese and the inhabitants of Thailand and Indo-Ohina because of the invaders’ economic plundering of tha South Seas. The inhabitants live m dread of Allied bombings. MR WILLKIE HOMEWARD BOUND ('Ree. 10.50 a.m.) CHICAGO, October 13. An Edmonton message states that Mr Wendell Willkie departed for home, bound on the last section of his 30,000mile world flight. RAIDS AND PUBLICITY QUESTION IN COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 13. Mr Attlee was asked in the House of Commons if the public were kept fully informed of all raids carried out by tha Director of Combined Operations, and, if not, how many such raids; hitherto undisclosed, had been carried out and with what results. Mr Attlee replied: “ Large raids ara fully described, but there may be many minor operations on the scale of tha trench raids in the last war about which normally nothing would be said.” DEEPLY APPRECIATED BRITAIN'S GESTURE Tl CHINA (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, October 13. Mr Churchill has received the follow* ing message from Chiang Kai-shek:—* “ China appreciates deeply the gesturo of friendship and goodwill Britain made in determining to abrogate extraterritoriality in China, and feels certain that this expressive evidence of Sino-British friendship, based on equal and mutual trust, will inaugurate a new and significant era, not only in the Far East, but throughout the entire world. By this voluntary abandonment of obsolete privileges Britain has won a great moral victory.” SALVAGING THE NORMANDIE NEW YORK, October 12. “The liner Lafayette, formerly tha Normandie, will rise slowly until sha reaches a point where she will dip on to her keel,” said Captain William Sullivan, naval supervisor of salvage, expressing confidence in the successful completion.of the work, but he declined to estimate the lengthof time required* Naval officers indicated, however, that the Lafayette will not be available for any seagoing purpose before the end of 1944. The operations recently were well up to schedule, or perhaps slightly ahead. Fifty naval and 50 civilian divers are at present working along the entire hull, in addition to 600 other workmen. Coffer dams are slowly being built throughout the ship’s length, .after which pumping will begin in preparation for righting the vessel. ’ _ The divers report that the bull is not seriously damaged. The vessel may bo righted early in 1943, and then moved to dry clock |or overhaul and refitting.