Meanwhile, both Chinese and for ign banks this morning reported a heavy demand for withdrawals of deposits. Most of the withdrawals were made by Chinese demanding cash, indicating that many Chinese Intended to take advantage of the opportunity: to return to the interior before Hongkong is completely blockaded.
There were no signs of panic among. the populace, although some anxiety was expressed among Europeans who are only just recovering from the financial strain of last year's evacuation scare.
Military quarters said the border remained quiet today. Chinese reports said that additional Japanese forces were arriving at Namitu and Sha The "Hongkong Telegraph" report. ed that the Executive Council, which met this morning, discussed the situation. An official statement was expected to be issued this afternoon. Informed sources believed the slatement might possibly include the mobilization of volunteers, Although no definite sailing orders have as yet been promulgated, the evacuation of the colony may be ordered with as little as six Lours' notice. The total number of persons preparing to evacuate exceeds 3,000, including some 200 Americans.
NGS, State Department Informed The United States Consul said today that the State Department had been fully informed regarding the situation here. The American. Con-from the Far East, the reports said The proposed alliance was said to guarantee Japan's "complete domination over the Pacife, including Japanese annexation of the Dutch East Indies, French Indo-China, Australia, Vancouver Province in Canada, Burma, the Malay States and Singasulate here, however, has. received tne instructions from Washington so far, he said The register of the American Consulate here lists about 1,000 American nationals in Hongkong, but. the majority of these are American-born Chinese and Filipinos. "The Consul said he expected about 200 Americans would evacuate In the event of an (Reports from Manila today said the Red Cross there had made preparations to handle 5,000 refugees from Hongkong in the event of an emergency. The United States Army will ce-operate by making barracks available as living quarters for refugees.)
Hongkong authorities urged sidents of the city. to remain calm and said they could see no reason for undue alarm merely because of the Japanese blockade around the Colony.
Consequently, some quarters Hevea the preparations for evacuntion, which were ordered from London, might be an indication that the Brilish Government was propaning to reject Japanese demands for the closing of the Burma highway over which the Chungking Government obtains important war supplies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.