TOKIO DENIAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1940, Page 5

TOKIO DENIAL

NO ENEMY SHIPS FITTING OUT IN JAPANESE-CONTROLLED HARBOURS. REPORTS CALLED FALSE & FABRICATED. TOKIO. December 28. The navy spokesman characterised as “false and fabricated” reports that German vessels in Jap-anese-controlled China harbours are arming for raiding activities. He said the navy had not permitted this and no such activities were at present in progress in the aforementioned harbours. He said that such reports were undoubtedly similar to the unconfirmed report that a German warship with a Japanese name and flag shelled Nauru, the purpose being to cause disturbance. He said he was without information as to whether German raiders were active and making a rendezvous in Japanese mandated islands.

COMMENT IN JAPAN ATTITUDE OF THE PRESS LUKEWARM. TOKIO, December 28. The spokesman of the Navy Office said no information had been received confirming the claim that the Nauru raider flew the Japanese flag and used a Japanese name. The local newspapers treated the story of the raid lukewarmly, carrying brief dispatches from Melbourne without commenting on the flag angle. •A Tokio message published on Saturday stated that the navy and other official sources said that if the report of the disguise used by the raider was substantiated it would be regarded as a serious matter.

GERMAN CLAIM

ALLEGATION OF FALSE PROPAGANDA. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) LONDON, December 29. The Berlin radio, commenting on Mr. Hughes’s statement that the Nauru raider hoisted the German flag before firing, says the Australian Minister’s statement confirms the German contention that the German warship was operating only under the German flag. Propaganda to any other effect is false.