THAILAND SUBMITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1941, Page 5

THAILAND SUBMITS

AFTER RESISTING ATTACK JAPANESE ALLOWED , TO ENTER COUNTRY. ATTACKS ON AMERICAN BASES. The latest news from the Far East shows that the 'Japanese are attacking in four main areas— Thailand, Malaya, Hong Kong and American bases in Hawaii and the

Philippines. Japanese troops landed at two points in Thailand early this morning. A Bangkok report states that Thai forces fiercely resisted the invaders for s>l hours. Negotiations were then opened with the enemy. Firing then ceased temporarily on the instructions of the Thailand Government and negotiations with the Japanese were begun. A Tokio announcement states that an agreement has been reached for the passage of Japanese troops through Thailand. The Thai radio has announced the decision of the Thai Cabinet to allow Japanese forces to enter the country. The cease fire order came at 7.30 o’clock this morning. No official news has been received in London. R.A.F. bombers attacked enemy transport attempting to land-troops in Thailand and troops who had landed were also attacked.

LANDINGS IN MALAYA. Two landings have been made by Japanese troops in northern Malaya. A Singapore message states that from one of these landings the Japanese are proceeding with an infiltration towards the Kotabaru airfield. Confused fighting is going on round the aerodrome. At the other point fighting took place on the beach. The first landing was made from five merchant ships escorted by warships. Later another ten enemy ships were located. In attacks by the British Air Forces at least two of the enemy ships were hit and set on fire. The Japanese ships eventually retired at high speed, leaving their troops to fight it out on the beaches. At dawn bombers and torpedo-carry-ing aircraft took off to attack the enemy. The result of this attack is not yet known. A second raid was made on Singapore this morning. It is unofficially reported that the Japanese dropped mustard gas bombs. Eight enemy planes machine-gunned an airfield but there were no casualties. Hong Kong was bombed three times today. A communique states that the city’s defence plans continue to develop satisfactorily.

OAHU REINFORCED. ( Reinforcements .of American planes have arrived at Oahu. This was announced by the White House in a message approved by President Roosevelt. The message states that operations are continuing against the Japanese in the neighbourhood of Hawaii and that a number of Japanese planes and submarines have been destroyed. The United States Government admits the loss in yesterday's attack on Hawaii of one old battleship, and one destroyer. Several smaller ships were seriously damaged. Some hangars were destroyed and a large number of planes were put out of commission. It is stated that casualties at Oahu may probably reach 3,000, of whom 1,500 may have been killed. A late message reports ?. Japanese air attack on Manila, causing 200 Army casualties. There are no details yet of the Japanese attack on Wake and Midway islands. A heavy Japanese air and sea attack is being made on Guam. The-Jap-anese claim that the oil reservoir there has been set on fire and that Japanese ships surround the island.

HOSTILITIES NOT WANTED

BY PEOPLE OF JAPAN. ACCORDING TO CHICAGO CONSUL-GENERAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) CHICAGO, December 7. Mr Kihachiro Ohmori, actingJapanese Consul-General, said it was questionable how long Japan could continue the war with the United States. “The people of Japan do not want war, but there are some excitable people who have caused it.”

LOW=LEVEL BOMBING

DAMAGE DONE AT GUAM. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 8. The Pan-American Airways base at Guam and the Pacific Cable Company s office were heavily strafed. Planes came down almost to ground level.