EVACUATION PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1941, Page 5

EVACUATION PLANS

BRITISH AND JAPANESE NATIONALS GERMAN RAIDING THREAT. RECRUITING OF CHINESE SEAMEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 9. The Japanese Foreign Office announced that Japan would send ships to'Britain and other parts of the British Empire to evacuate Japanese Nationals. Three ships will be dispatched to ■the Straits Settlements. India, the Near East, and East Africa. The fourth ship, carrying Japanese diplomats and military and naval attaches to replace those at present in Europe will bring evacuees from Europe. There are 600 Japanese in the British Isles, 700 in Malaya, 200 in India, 60 in the Near East, and 40 in East Africa. A British ship is expected in Japan soon to remove British nationals. A Tokio message says that Admiral Toyoda, the Foreign Minister, reported to Cabinet and the Privy Council on recent diplomatic developments, including twelve conferences with the American Ambassador.

It is believed that Japan will withdraw objections to American oil going to Vladivostok if the United States resumes oil shipments to Japan. The Shanghai correspondent of the United Press says that, informed quarters believe that Prince Konoye is doing his utmost to resist army pressure in favour of the Axis. Therefore they believe that the Prime Minister’s heralded public announcement will be vague, but might suggest some progress toward a better understanding with the United States.

Other sources pointed to the decision of Britain and Japan to evacuate nationals as indicating doubt that an agreement was near. According to the British United Press representative at Shanghai, Germany is recruiting several hundred Chinese seamen to serve aboard heavily armed German freighters which will sail from North Chinese and Japanese harbours under the Japanese flag. Military authorities at Shanghai think the vessels might be used as raiders against shipments to Vladivostok.