ALLIED OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1942, Page 4

ALLIED OFFENSIVE

IMMINENT ON SEVERAL FRONTS ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT QUEZON. PLEDGE OF FILIPINO RESOLUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 1. A War Department communique says: “A small detachment of American and Filipino troops, operating in the mountains in Northern Luzon, has forced the enemy to evacuate the Abia Valley, between Cervantes and Bangued. “President Quezon, in a heartening appeal, pledged the Filipino people to fight on until the enemy had been expelled. He praised Filipino loyalty and outlined a generous plan for the financial relief of the population in unoccupied districts. He said the time of reverses was over. The United Nations were taking the initiative and an offensive was imminent on several fronts. “No reports have been received from other areas.” TOJO’S BOAST FINAL VICTORY CERTAIN FOR JAPAN. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 1. The Tokio radio announced that the Japanese Premier, General Tojo, broadcasting on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the foundation of Manchukuo, said the defence of the Manchukuo-Russian frontier was secure, due to the combined efforts of the Manchukuo and Japanese armies. He added that though many obstacles and difficulties could be expected, final victory was certain for Japan. AUSTRALIANS IN TIMOR JAPANESE CLAIM 1,500 PRISONERS. (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) BERLIN, March 1. The News Agency quoted a Tokio claim that the Japanese had taken prisoner over 1,500 Australians in Timor.