Reported Kidnapping Denied by Japanese Spokesman All eight foreigners residing in Hwaiyuan, town on the northern bank of the Hwai River approximately 25 kilometres west of Pengpu, are alive and well, a Japanese Army spokesman announced last night.
The report that Miss Helen Bough-ion, American missionary, had been kidnapped was "withewt foundation," he added.
Seven Americans, comprising one man and one woman missionary, three teachers, one woman doctor and one nurse, had remained in the town in addition to one Italian missionary, presumed to be a priest, the spokesman said, "All are well and are being looked after by the Japanese Army," he declared, The small foreign colony, he added, had informed Japanese officials Investigating the report of Miss Bough-ton's kidnapping that none of their group was missing, months, the "Washington Merry-Go-Round," nationally syndicated newspaper column of Washington gossip, reported to-day.
The Navy has been steadily building up its defences in mid-Pacific, the column stated. Ever? Navy transport sailing to Hawaii recently has been loaded with live ammunition with which it is planned to make Hawaii one of the most important ammunition dumps in the United States and possessions, the column reported. extra supplies, chiefly oil, also have been stationed at Samoa for the use of the Navy, the report said.
"Inside information," the column said "is that preparations are being pushed to put the Fleet in complete fighting trim within three months."—United Press.
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