NEXT STEP WITH JAPAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 252, 1 August 1940, Page 6

NEXT STEP WITH JAPAN.

DEMAND FOR BRITONS’ RELEASE EARLY DEVELOPMENT LIKELY. (United Press Association. —Copyrights (Received This Dnv, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, July 31. It is authoritatively stated that the next move following the British protest lies with the Japanese Government. J he position is not likely to remain static. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail’’ says that Britain has demanded the release of the Britons arrested in Japan. The correspondent ‘ adds that retaliation is likely if Japan does not comply. Reports from Tokio say that two of the Britons have been released, but a Tokio Foreign Office spokesman indicated that more were being taken into custody, and he was reported as saying that they were all British.

The Minister for War (LieutenantGeneral To jo) told the Cabinet that the army would not hesitate to take drastic measures against Japanese assisting “foreign secret agents”; also those who were pro-British. “The Times” says that during his interview with Mr Matsu oka. Sir Robert Craigie pointed out the strict way in which Germans resident in Japan were organised. The local branch of the Nazi Party had built up a kind of little Nuremburg, to which all must belong, and where all were taught how to think and act by the party bosses and propaganda lectures. When Japan joined the Anti-Comin-tern Pact, a member of the Gestapo was permitted to become a member of the Japanese Home Office. This local Himmler influence in the Japanese press persuades the authorities to show German propaganda films. The Germans lately have been sending a number of tourists and businessmen to Japan, who do little touring and less business.

The British Embassy in Tokio revealed that Mr R. T. Holder, president of the British Association in Kobe, has been released. v Mr F. A. Jonas, a Kobe attorney, had been questioned, but not imprisoned. It added that.the arrests in Korea were probably of isolated missionaries. The British Ambassador (Sir Robert C'raigie) is at present without instructions, and is presumably awaiting a decision from London.

The spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office (Mr K. Suma), referring to those arrested, said: “I do not know the exact number, but I have reason to believe that it is increasing.” He thought that they were all British. He explained that the Justice Ministry’s participation in Monday’s announcement indicated that the Britons might be tried in civilian courts.

Mr Suma said that the Japanese Government Avould refuse to consider any British protest against the arrests. He also said it was a mistake to assume that the action Avas entirely anti-Bri-tish, since any others engaging in espionage, regardless of nationality, would be relentlessly dealt with.