Pacific

All Quiet In

War-Time Precautions by Shipping

EXCEPT for a report, issued in the first few days of the war, that a German submarine near the Philip pine Islands had sunk a couple of British ships, there has been little indication that German commerce-destroyers are operat ing in the Pacific.

Nevertheless Allied shipowners and shipmasters throughout the length and breadth of the Pacific are taking the strictest precautions, and British and French warships are on the qui vive everywhere.

The publication of shipping timetables still is strictly forbidden —a very neces sary precaution, which causes much in convenience to Pacific residents, how ever.

A freighter, which arrived at Los Angeles on October 3, reported it had sighted a strange submarine 360 miles southwards of Los Angeles; while a re port, which was not confirmed, came from Valparaiso (western coast of South America; that a German submarine had entered the harbour at the end of Sep tember, anchored for a few hours near a German steamer, and then disappeared.

It was reported from Hong Kong on September 19 that after unconfirmed re ports that a German raider or submarine was active in the Pacific, the Admiralty officials visited newspaper offices and ordered the elimination of advertisements and other references to the movements of British and French ships.

It must not .be assumed that the Pacific sea lanes are safe. Far from it.

Tonga, in common with most of the Pacific Islands territories, has been busy enrolling a defence force. The above photograph (by Hettig) shows a party of new recruits for the Tongan Defence Force, marching through the streets of Nukualofa, led by the Queen of Tonga’s Royal Guards.