Rear Admiral Joseph R. Defrees, present director of the Navy's Shore Establishments Division, was assigned io be commandant of the Eleventh Naval District and naval operating [base at San Diego. He relieves Rear Admiral Sinclair Gannon who was ordered to duty as senior member of the Pacific Coast Section of the Board of Inspection and Survey with headquarters at Long Beach, Cal Admiral Gannon replaces Admifal George F. Neal who "probably" will be assigned as President of the General. Court Martial for the Twelfth Naval District at San Francisco.
Rear Admiral Walter R. Gherardi, now heading the San Francisco Court Martial, will retire on September 1.
Capt. Arthur L. Bristol, commanding officer of the San Diego Naval Air Station, will become commander of Patrol Wing Two of the Aircraft Scouting Force based at Pearl Har-hour, Hawaii. He will replace Capt. Kenneth Whiting, whose new assignment has not yet been determined.
Capt. Robert A. Theobald, commanding the USS. Nevada, was appointed Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Fleet, relieving Rear Admiral Leary.—United Press.
Tokyo, May 2.
A warning has been given to Britain that the Japanese Government is most concerned over reports that Anglo-Soviet ce-operation would be extended to the Far East, according to the "Kokumin Shimbun."
The journal states that, in accordance with instructions Mr. Mamoru Shigemitsu, the Japanese Ambassador in London, visited Lord Halifax, the British Foreign Secretary, on April 27, and delivered the warning in person.
Lord Halifax is alleged to have replied that Britain would never commit herself to any joint action with the Soviet in the Far East. Mr. Shigemitsu, the journal goes on, then declared.—"Britain's policy of assisting the 'Chiang Kai-shek regime' is tantamount to the adoption of a con-carted Anglo-Soviet policy in the Far East."
Mr. Shigemitsu is said to have demanded the immediate discontinuance of that alleged policy.
The British Foreign Secretary is reported to have replied that Britain had never pursued a policy of aiding the Chiang Kai-shek regime. He is said to have declared that "We do not recognize any need to alter the policy we are at present following in China."
The "Kokumin Shimbun" comments that this declaration "clarifies Britain's intention of continuing to aid the 'Chiang Kai-shek regime' and it is therefore imperative for Japan to assume a stronger diplomatic attitude against Britain."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.