SECRET MOVES BY U.S. WARSHIPS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 77, 23 December 1937, Page 5

SECRET MOVES BY U.S. WARSHIPS

Hurried Mobilisation of Destroyer Crews CONJECTURE AROUSED (Received 23, 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 22. After the hurried mobilisation of the officers and crew three destroyers, in addition to the nine that anchored off San Pedro, California, yesterday after a lurried trip under secret orders, departed for the same destination. The Mexico City correspondent of the New York Times says that the United States Navy has taken steps to declare as prescribed territory for aeroplane flights the entire California region near the Mexicali. It is the Navy's intention to prohibit both transport and privato aeroplanes. The Navy says it wants the use of the zone for large-scale air-bombing and machine-gun tests, but reports circulated in offieial quarters indicate that the Navy intends to develop strong secret bases in the region. It is believed the activities off the Mexican west coast of a Japanese fishing fleet might be connected with the Navy's plan. The Mexican Government on Sunday announced that it was continuing to permit the fleet to operate and make technical explorations if accompanied by a Mexican observer. The Navy's action is also believed to bo linked with President Eoosevelt's desire to prohibit sketehes, photographs and maps of vital military and naval doiensive installations and equipment.