SINGAPORE DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1941, Page 5

SINGAPORE DEFENCE

ARRIVAL OF STRONG FORCE FROM AUSTRALIA — i EQUIPPED TO LAST DETAIL. ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME GIVEN. ißy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright i LONDON. February 19. There were scenes of tremendous enthusiasm in Singapore today when thousands of Australian troops landed There to reinforce the garrison in Malaya. The contingent is the largest force of men ever to arrive in Malaya in a single convoy. It is equipped right down to the last detail, and the artillery has the most, modern howitzers and field guns, all made in Australia. Huge crowds lined the waterfront at Singapore as the Australian troopships and warships steamed toward the shore. Conspicuous among the troops were nurses’ scarlet capes. There wore cheers and cries of “cooce.” '; The Governor of Malaya and the : Australian G.O.C. in Malaya went on - board to greet the new arrivals. ■, The men looked fit and cheerful as 1 they landed amidst scenes of enthus- ! iasm. One brawny Queenslander, when ■ asked if he liked the place, replied: “It ■ seems bonza, chum.” The troops have adequate reserves of all necessaries, including ammunition, I and will have to depend on local sup- - plies only for rations and fuel. - The men entrained immediately for ’ secret destinations in Malaya. ? Official circles in Tokio declined to • comment on the arrival of the Aus- • tralians. Japanese Press comment, as ■ is to bo expected considering that Japan is a party to the Axis, is hostile. One Japanese newspaper, referring to the Australians' arrival, declared: “This shows that, instead of trying to prevent war in the Pacific, the United States and the British have added fear to the crisis.”

AIR REINFORCEMENTS BOMBERS AND FIGHTERS. British Headquarters in the Far East announce, the 8.8. C. states, that British air forces in that region have been strongly reinforced recently with large bombers, twin-engined and single-engine fighters, which are now stationed in areas of strategic importance. The arrival of a strong Australian force at Singapore has been hailed by Britons in the Far East as a sign that Britain is prepared to defend her interests there to the utmost. APPEAL FOR UNITY MADE BY MR. MATSUOKA. LONDON, February 19. The Japanese Foreign Minister. Mr. Matsuoka, appealed to the nation to present a united front in the Far East situation, and said: "Diplomacy not backed by strength would accomplish nothing.” He urged general help in the establishment of the Eastern Asiatic new order of prosperity, and he rebuked those in Japan who were opposed to the Tripartite Pact. MILITANT CLAMOUR "PEACE" PROPOSAL ATTACKED. TOKIO. February 18. The ultra-Nationalist newspaper “Kokumin Shimbun." criticised the Government’s peace-making proposals of yesterday as “a measure which did us no good but damage, erroneously picturing the nation’s firm determination before the eyes of Britain and America.” It said the time was past for Japan to explain her policies, because of the stubborn refusal of America and Britain to listen to them. .JAPANESE FORCES INCREASED IN INDO-CHINA. , SAIGON. February 19. Further Japanese reinforcements I have arrived in the cruiser Nagaru, in- ; eluding soldiers and mechanics to rein- | force the staffs of the air bases. It is reliably stated that 80.000 to 90.- j 000 Japanese troops are at present in ‘ Hainan and Formosa. JAPANESE DESTROYERS TAKING SUPPLIES TO THAILAND.

tßect ived This Day. 10 a mJ BANGKOK. February 19 Between now and February 25 three Japanese destroyers will be taking supplies to Paknam. at the mouth of the Bangkok River. 15 miles from here A Japanese naval attache previously sought Thailand's permission fur the destroyers’ visits. CURIOUS MESSAGE. RECEIVED BY MR EDEN. FROM JAPANESE MINISTER. ißritish Official Win-Ins < > Received Tii.- 1 >ay 1 i ain ' RUGBY. February 19 Am wens;: a qt;v -tion in the Home of (“omnuti- the Foreign Secretary •Mr Eden • .- aid there had been mcreas- » d ti-m-mm m the I’.ir l-.ast over cerium notM.ds ..ver the dispute between lndo-(’hma atid T|uukmd -'5 J.-ij .in.- e ofl wi.i! -• loke-.mfm had made •tatcnu'i:'. : th.- Pre ■ -. • • terdaj t< !:tion of m I‘inbri . The l-Wrimm Sect ctary - aid he had received fr. m the Japimc: >• Minister for Forcii’n Adair- a vpehial mes-ai’e in a curious memorandum and m the ar e Im<- a the -mm m rv--Die ..f •h—-• c..m:m:j'. i c;i 1 1 1 •i s w* T’.* »t> j ? ft‘sc t' t v; I', ! ‘ ■' ■' ■ ‘' r ’ ______