Rumours that Japan intends to increase her naval landing force io 'Shanghai have been officially denied. 'They appear to have arisen from th fact' that the Third Fleet—Japan's China Squadron—has been reorganiz~ ed, all destroyer units being amalgam mated into one, which will be known in the future Unit, Before Japanese had only one destroyer on regular duty on this station. After the roubles broke out, however, three Aotillas were attached to the Third Fleet and they have remained here until this summer when they lett to join the Japanese naval manoeuvres Only one of the three flotillas has since returned. It is possible that the two flotillas which have not yet come back to Shanghai will be included in the new reorganization. But this, 1t is pointed out, is not an increase in the Raval force and need give rise to no alarmist. reports. There have been three flotillas here for the last two years. So far os the rumoured increase in the landing force is concerned, officials of the Japanese gation ave been able to give them 8 full denial, The present force is regarded as adequate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.