Chungking, Feb, 17, The report that Britain is mining the Singapore Straits and has ordered ne evacuation of British nationals from Thailand was given prominence in this mornings Chinese papers.
The official "Central Daily News" alleges that the Japanese are making active preparations for southward expansion, declaring that the Japanese forces at Haiphong and Hanoi have been reinforced.
leven warships of the Japanese third fleet are said to have been transferred from Shanghai to Hainan while the Japanese Second said to have arrived at Island.
Mhe Chinese daily claims that there are at present over 50 Japanese concentrated oft Hainan, and also that over 200 Japanese planes have been transferred from China to the island, It is stated that Japan is unlikely to make any sensational move, like attack on Singapore: or the Dutch East Indies, which would bring her into war against Britain and the United States, but that she. would. tog, world. attention; and. move gradually so as not to attract much might' im time: confront -the- world] with a fait accompli.—
Repjying to another interpellator, "Mr. Matsuoka stated: "Whatever might happen, the Japanese nation would never abandon establishment of a greater East Asiatic sphere of common prosperity. They are possessed of ample national resources to attain their great aspiration, notwithstanding a belief to the contrary."
Urged to make a demarche to the Soviet Government regarding the Comintern, which was' "behind the Far Eastern conflict," the Foreign Minister pointed out, that the Comin ern was not identical with the Soviet Government, but he promised to take proper steps in case any trouble would be caused by the Comintern,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.