BRITONS ARRESTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 6

BRITONS ARRESTED

TEN RESIDENTS OF JAPAN. ALLEGATION OF ESPIONAGE. EMPHATIC PROTEST MADE. (United Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, July 29. Japanese police, acting simultaneously in several cities, arrested 10 prominent British subjects. No reason is giv.en for the action. The British Ambassador to Japan (Sir Robert Craigie) called on the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) to discuss the arrests, but the result of the interview has not been disclosed. Those arrested are Captain C. H. James, of Tokio, a retired naval officer and chief representative of the Federation of British Industries, four Kobe residents, Mr Holden, who is president of the local British Association, Mr E. W. James, Mr F. M. Jonas, and Mr J. F. Drummond, two Osaka business men, Mr H. M. McNaughton, who is honorary Consul for Greece, and Mr J. F. James, two brothers named Ringer from Shimonoseld and Nagasaki, and Reuter’s Tokio correspondent, Mr J. Cox, who is being charged under the military secrets regulations. The British Consul was not allowed to interview Mr Cox.

A New York report says that the arirested men may be charged with espionage.

DEATH UNDER EXAMINATION.

POLICE ALLEGE SUICIDE. TWO MORE ARRESTS MADE. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) TOKIO, July 29. Mr Melville Cox (Far East manager for Reuter’s) was killed in a mysterious fall on the fourth floor of the Japanese police headquarters while he was being questioned. According to a later message it is officially announced that Mr Cox committed suicide. A total of 12 Britons have been arrested since Saturday, it is believed in connection with military secrets. Sir, Robert Craigie twice protested, once formally. He also personally protested to Mr Matsuoka (Foreign Minister) and requested information concerning the reasons for the arrests. A later message says that Mr Cox jumped from a window while under examination and received injuries from which he died. ALLEGED ESPIONAGE NETWORK. THE FIRST STEP AGAINST IT. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. The Tokio correspondent of the Associated Press says that the Foreign Office disclosed that the Britons were arrested by the military police under the direction of the prosecutors as the fi rs t step against an alleged country-wide British espionage network. Mr Guy Locoek (director of the Federation of British Industries), referring to the arrests in Japan says that the charge of espionage against any representatives of the Federation of British Industries is fantastic. They were concerned solely with commercial matters.

CHARGES OFFICIALLY MADE. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, July 29. The Ministries of War and Justice announced that- the rounded-up British nationals are accused of anti-Japanese espionage. They said that Mr Cox committed suicide rather than face probable conviction. The Ministries stated: “A note addressed to his wife, found on Mr Cox’s person, reads: * I know what is best. Always my only love. I have been quite well treated, but there is no doubt how matters are going.’ In the light of the above note it. seems that with the progress of the investigation deceased became aware of the fact that he could not escape conviction.” The other announcement relative to the arrests is: “In view of the everincreasing activities of foreign organisations, espionage and conspiracy in this country lately, the military, under direction of the prosecutors, made, the first step on 'Sunday, by arresting those constituting part of the British espionage network covering the entire country-.”

A FULL INVESTIGATION. DEMAND MADE BY BRITAIN. PURPORTED NOTE NOT ACCEPTED (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) TOKIO, July 29. Britain has demanded a full investigation into Mr Cox’s death. British officials are not inclined to accept what purports to be his farewell note. Britain has also asked for substantiation of the charges of a netwoi v of espionage.