Censorship authorities intercepted message dated 31st January
between Head Office Mitsubishi and Sydney instructing all
dispensable employees to return to Japan. As the message was in
clear language and known to be open to censorship, this may be
only bluff.

The Japanese Consul-General [1] on 11th February, in referring to
exodus from other parts, stated that no Japanese were returning
from Australia. On the other hand we have evidence that Japanese
vessels leaving here February and March are booked out with
Japanese women and children and that there were only two Japanese
passengers on ship arriving in Australian waters this week.

Further, Commonwealth Bank has received a number of applications
for withdrawal of funds for Japanese women leaving Australia.

Japanese Consul-General complained of statements by leaders here
which he described as alarmist and of press reports of Japanese
hostile intentions as calculated to prejudice friendly relations.

He was particularly incensed at delaying tactics in regard to
Japanese shipping, claiming these were not based on any reasonable
ground and only caused annoyance and monetary loss without
achieving any apparent definite object.

Incidentally, Japanese Consul General, now acting as Charge
d'Affaires, is actively going ahead with establishment of
Legation, part of advanced staff of which is on the way from
Japan. He states Minister [2] would leave Tokyo on March 1st.