An item dated Kobe, Japan 9th reported that three Soviet whalers lacking food and water arriving in a harbour at Bonin Island were seized on suspicion of espionage and brought to Yokohama. Although espionage could not be confirmed the whalers took sounding while entering the harbour. The fine was 1.500 yen for each whaler with the Japanese navy asking for drastic decisions while the harbour was prohibited and open for international shipping.
