Honolulu, July 1. IHE United States Fleet, which has been ing" since early last week, suddenly returned to Hawaii early yesterday. The sudden turn for the worse in the Far Eastern situation was seen here as a possible factor in the return of the Fleet to Haw: Navy officers said, however, that the Fleet had merely been carrying out "routine training exercise."
The vanguard of the Fleet was sighted about 8 a.m. when forty warships came into view.
The sudden return of the Fleet was believed in unollieial circles to re-fleet an unexpected change of plans by. the "Navy Department, ~The highest sources, it was recalled, said ast week that the Fleet was en route to the Panama Canal.
"Routine Draining" day'ot the major. portion of the "Regarding the departure last Mon
United states Pet" said statement Feleased" yesterday by. the Come Lander-in-Chief, Admiral. James, Richardson, "his was merely routine, training exercise simulating a. war time saling without prior notieation.
Much exercises have taken place the past and are an eseendal and Yivuable part of training. They may bey expected to reoccur at regular ithe wialure of the exercises pré- cluded ihe use of radio, otherwise vould. have "corrected" the. highly peetlative impression created." United Press, Speculation in stant While the Philippines awaited an Mania, daly influx of am estimated 4,000 refugees {om Hongkong today, unusual movements of the United, States Aslatle Fleet caused nofelal speculation here regarding the part the United tates will play in the event of Jap-nese attacks on Indo-China and Asiatic and South Seas regions. This isa prospect which neither the Ameri can people, nor any other people interested in the Orient, can contemplate without grave concern."
Navy Department Silen:
Speculation here last night was long the line that announcement of Japan's new "Monroe Doctrine" policy on Saturday may have pelled President Roosevelt to coun. termond orders sending the United Slates Fleet to the Panama Canal The Navy Department stilt professed ignorance regarding the Fleet's movements late last. night, 'A State Deparment spokesman said, he was inclined to accept the explanation given by the commander. In-Chief of the Fleet, Admiral James ©, Richardson, who said the Fleet had been on a routine training exercise, July before hie return of the Fleet Honolulu yesterday, unofficial bhut reliable quarters reported that the Fleet was expected at Balboa, Canal Zone, on July 4. A larg portion of the Fleet, these reports said, would transit into the Atlantic without delay, These warships would remain around the Atlantic entrance to the Canal indefinitely, it was said, sive attitude regarding the Nether lands. East Indies and British and French possessions in the Far East makes it more expedient than ever to have the US. Fleet in the Pacific.
There was no definite indication, however, that recent Japanese movements and statements have actually influenced the movement of the Fleet, The Roosevelt Administration, however, is known to look with' cold disapproval on Mr. Arita's proposal for Japanese domination over all of East Asia and the return of the US, Fleet to Hawaii could be expected to be a restraining in-nonce on any plans for further Japanese expansion in the Far East, United Press, Panama OMicials Surprised Balboa, CZ, July 1.
A high United States Army ameer here last night was "surprised" when informed that the United States Fleet had anchored at Hawaii yesterday after having been "lost."
He admitted he expected the worships to come to the Canal Zone, but emphasized that he had not based his opinion on official information.
High naval and army officials here first "learned of the arrival of the Fleet at Hawaii from the United Press. They declined to speculate on whether the warships had been turned back from Panama because of the worsening of the Far East situation.
Meanwhile, a fleet of navy bombers from Coco Solo Island "attacked" the Canal Zone at 6 am. Sunday ina 30-minute surprise raid, The planes at 15,000 fect Their motors were barely: audible from the ground.
alarm was sounded.
The planes did not use dive bombing tactics, but dumped dozens of faming ares on Gatun Dam. They then swung south-east and "bombed" the Mira Flores and Pedro Miguel Jocks of the Canal. Anti-aircraft batteries went into action against the "raiders," but no counter.atlack was staged.—United Press.
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