BURMA ROAD RE-OPENED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 5

BURMA ROAD RE-OPENED

BOMBING TO START TODAY ANGLO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT ENDS “HONGKONG IS LIKE A ROTTEN APPLE” (Official Wireless) (Received Oct. 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, October 17 The three months period of the operation of the agreement with Japan for the closing of the Burma Road for the passage of arms and supplies to China expires at midnight, and as the understanding that the period would be used for exploring a means of reaching a peaceful settlement of the hostilities in China has not been fulfilled the road now reopens to traffic. With regard to the route by which supplies formerly reached China, via Hongkong, an assurance was given by Japan at the time of the conclusion of the Burma Road agreement that the decision for its closure taken by the Governor of Hongkong many months earlier would be respected. This assurance lapses with the Burma Road agreement. In fact, owing to the dispositions of the Japanese land and sea forces, the Hongkong road is now of little practical importance, hut the assurance referred to having lapsed the obligation regarding its closure is removed, and it remains for the Governor of Hongkong to decide, in the light of local circumstances, whether it should be re-opened. Captain K. Chudo, a member of the Japanese Naval Mission, said that Japanese planes would bomb the Chinese side of the Burma Road on October 18. weather permitting. He expressed the opinion that Japan would not attack Hongkong, because "Hongkong is like a rotten apple. There is no use in shaking a tree when we know that the rotten apples will drop.” He said that air bases were still the navy’s main concern in Indo-China, and he expressed the opinion that the latter country would grant naval bases if Japan requests them “because Vichy is under Hitler’s Government, with which Japan is allied.”

First Convoy Over Frontier A message from Lashio says the first convoy will cross th« frontier seven minutes after the formal reopening of the Burma Road. China’s vice-Foreign Minister, Mr Theng. is attending the formal reopening, at which * Chinese drivers will attend an open-air celebration. An additional 100,000 tons of goods are now at Lashio, and 500,000 tons are stored at Rangoon. PLANS FOR REOPENING LIFE-LINE TO CHINA FLOW OF SUPPLIES (United Press Asn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 11.40 a.m.) LASHIO, Oct. 17 Chinese crews manned and fuelled 2000 motor vans to start the flow of supplies along China’s life-line shortly after midnight, when Britain will re-open the Burma Road. The bombing of Chinese sections of the road by Japanese planes based in Indo-China is taken for granted, although Japanese - manufactured goods will be among the accumulated supplies entering China. Japanese business men throughout the war until July conducted a substantial trade in the unoccupied areas of China, utilising Chinese trade-marks. Most of the Japanese trade in free China is conducted through Shanghai, from where large stocks, especially of textiles, have been transhipped to Burma, awaiting the re-open-ing of the highway. HANOI, Oct. 16 Major-General Raishiro Sumita, Japanese military commander in Indo-China, declared that Japan is resolutely determined to prevent United States and other war materials from reaching the Chinese. He indicated that warplanes will do their utmost to strike a fatal blow at the Burma Road, but attacks may be expected only after supplies have entered Chinese territory. CHUNGKING BOMBED ATTACK BY JAPANESE PLANES (United Press Assn.—Eiec. TeJ. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 12.20 a.m.) CHUNGKING, Oct. 17 Thirty-six Japanese planes bombed Chungking today, widely scattering bombs over the city. WRECKAGE FOUND WASHED UP ON NOUMEA LINERS NIAGARA AND NOTOU (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright* SYDNEY, Oct. 17 A radio message from Noumea reports that a gangway from the French ship Notou, which disappeared in August, was washed up yesterday ou Magenta Beach, three miles from Noumea. The Notou. which left Newcastle, New South Wales, for Noumea on August 12, was believed to have been sunk by a German raider The crew of an American freighter now in Sydney, reported yesterday that they saw wreckage near New Caledonia last week. It is further reported from Noumea that the south coast is littered with tinned foods, fruits, hams and other foodstuffs, believed to be from the Niagara.

My Br-3n-prneni« neuter* World -r-1 vice. In iddttion to other special source* ..f information. Is used in the compilation of ihe overseas .nreiiipenre published !n tlil -s tr-me. and all rights therein in Au« 11 alia and New Zealand are reserved Such or the ruble news in this is-ne a* I* «o headed ha* appeared 1n the Time- and u -o sent to till* paper bv «pee‘a! pe-rui.. • lon It should be understood that tfe opinion la not that of the Times unleaa it la expressly stated to be ao.

COURAGEOUS FLIER DESTROYED 18 PLANES AWARDED BAR TO D.F.C. (omcial Wireless) (Received Oct. 18, noon) RUGBY, Oct. 17 Among the Royal Air Force awards announced today is the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross to Pilot Officer A. G. Lewis, who was bom at Kimberley South Africa. The citation stated: On September 27 he destroyed six enemy aircraft. This makes a total of eighteen destroyed by him. His courage and keenness are outstanding. ITALIAN THREATS GREECE AND TURKEY “ THE INEVITABLE RECKONING ” (United Press Asn.—Klee. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 1 p.m.) ROME, Oct. 17 The Giornale d'ltalia stated that Greece is secretly allowing: the British Navy to use Grecian bases. She and Turkey will face the inevitable reckoning. FREE FRENCHMEN POSSESSIONS IN AFRICA ASSISTANCE FROM BRITAIN MAINTENANCE OF TRADE (omcial Wireless) (Received Oct. 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 17 The measure of economic support which Britain is to give Free French possessions in Africa is disclosed in reports that a series of agreements has been made between Britain and the French authorities in Africa who hav r e joined General de Gaulle. They will enable the latter to dispose of their principal products and so maintain their trade. ALLEGED TREACHERY AMERICAN OFFICER HELD HEAVY GAMBLING LOSSES (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 11 a m.) MANILA, Oct. 17 A United States Army Captain, who graduated at West Point, is held on a charge of selling military information after a long surveillance, disclosing heavy gambling losses. It is understood that two accomplices are also held.