THREAT TO SINGAPORE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1941, Page 6

THREAT TO SINGAPORE

ANTICIPATIONS OF HEAVY BOMBING NO PUBLIC RAID SHELTERS. ON ACCOUNT OF SWAMPY GROUND. (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) SINGAPORE, December 9. An announcement of aerial activity over Singapore last night and this morning, mainly reconnaissance, leads to a belief that the city will undergo very serious bombings during the next few days. Informed circles consider it likely that Japanese bombers have already left Indo-China for Southern Thailand, in which case the next raids against Singapore will be made with large bombers, carrying the heaviest loads. Though Singapore is putting on a good face, there is an undercurrent of considerable anxiety. There are no public shelters and only a few of the more modern buildings possess bombproof basements.’ The swampy nature cf most of the island makes it impossible to construct deep shelters. If incendiary bombs are dropped, very big fires are inevitable. ENEMY RAIDS AMERICAN CASUALTIES , IN PHILIPPINES. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) MANILA, December 9. The Army Department announced today that one United States soldier was killed and twelve injured in a before dawn raid on Fort Nichols today. Two others- were injured when Fort McKinely was bombed. PLANS IN CHINA PROSPECT OF INTENSIFIED ACTION. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) CHUNGKING, December 9. Th e Associated Press of America reports that Brigadier-General Magruder conferred at length with Marshal Chiang Kai-shek and a representative of the British forces. Observers predicted the appointment of an Allied, commander in South China. Indications pointed strongly to intensified Chinese action, with large scale attacks in spheres where Allied interests are threatened. SERVICE OVERSEAS REMOVAL CF RESTRICTIONS IN U.S.A. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 9. The House of Representatives military affairs committee has approved legislation repealing restrictions on the use of selectees and National Guardsmen outside the Western hemisphere. GERMANS & ITALIANS ARRESTS IN UNITED STATES. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 9. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have seized nearly 400 German and Italian aliens throughout the nation. Raids were made during the night, according to an authoritative source. GERMAN EMBASSY REPORTED PAPER BURNING IN WASHINGTON. (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 9. The German Embassy declined to comment today on current reports that they had begun to burn official papers.