TENSION GROWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 138, 13 June 1934, Page 7

TENSION GROWS.

EASTERN MYSTERY. Disappearance of Japanese Vice-Consul. CHINA HELD RESPONSIBLE. United P.A.-Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) KOBE, June 12. Grave developments are threatened in connection with the disappearance of the Japanese Vice-Consui, Mr. Kuramoto, from Nanking. His wife states that lately he was being shadowed. The Chinese Government is making every effort to clear up the mystery and has offered a substantial reward. Japanese warships are rapidly assembling at Nanking. A Shanghai message states that events in connection with the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Kuramoto took a definite turn to-day when the ConsulGeneral, Mr. Suma, called on Wang Ching-wei, The Foreign Minister, and announced that the Japanese' Government would hold the Chinese Government responsible for the disappearance and all consequences arising from it. A Tokyo message states that the Government is taking no positive steps immediately, but is giving the Chinese until June 18 to find the missing man. An official communique issued by the Japanese Legation at Nanking, points out that three Japanese have mysteriously disappeared in Central China in the past six months. The statement adds that the Japanese Government has reserved the right to make any future demands in this connection. Chinese official circles neither confirm nor deny reports that Mr. Kuramoto was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. Meanwhile, the entire police and garrison forces of the capital have been mobilised on an extensive search. No man hunt in the history of China has aroused such interest, or produced such anxiety, as that taking place in the capital to-day.