HALT IN BURMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1942, Page 3

HALT IN BURMA

JAPANESE NOT READV TO RESUME ATTACK CHINESE WELL PLACED IN NORTH. ENEMY’S HEAVY AIR LOSSES. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, March 3. The Japanese offensive against Rangoon has been definitely halted for eight days along the Sittang River, and it is unofficially considered likely to lag for another week before the enemy is ready for a resumption of the attack, says the Associated Press of Great Britain’s correspondent at Mandalay. The Japanese are expected to launch several co-ordinated thrusts between Pegu and Pyinmana. Operations in the Pyinmana area, as the Japanese certainly are aware, would lay them open to a flank attack from the Chinese in the southern Shan States, where the Chinese are understood to have sufficient strength, not only to hold the mountain ranges of the Shan territory, but to be able to divert troops southward in the case of an emergency. The Japanese air losses in the past week, approximating hundreds of bombers and fighters, are reported to have diminished the enemy's raids. BURMA ROAD CUT ONLY BY JAPANESE PATROLS. FIRST ATTACKS REPELLED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.53 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. Clashes are reported in London to have taken place on the Burma front. The Burma Road had been cut by Japanese patrols, but, as has been stated, these were dealt with, and it is not known whether the road has been cut again by later patrols. So far as is known, no large Japanese forces have crossed the Sittang River. VATICAN & JAPAN ENTRY INTO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS? AMERICA AND BRITAIN EXPRESS SURPRISE. ißritish Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.53 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. Reports have been reaching London to the effect that the Vatican is about to enter into diplomatic relations with the Japanese Government. Though it is not known in authoritative quarters in London whether the reports are true, it is confirmed that the United States and British Governments have expressed surprise, through their representatives at the Vatican. If the reports do prove to be true, it will be the first time in history that diplomatic relations between the two States have existed and it would indeed be an odd moment for the Vatican to choose. GENERAL SITWELL COMMANDING BRITISH TROOPS IN JAVA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.53 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. It is disclosed in authoritative quarters in London that Major General Sitwell is commanding the British troops in Java. Though not large m numbers the British troops remaining in Java will fight at the side of their Dutch and American Allies.