BRUTALLY BEATEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 11

BRUTALLY BEATEN

DEATH OF BRITON.

Evidence At Inquest On Mill Clash Victim.

ATTACKED FROM BEHIND

Lnited I'rrss Association. —Copyright.

(Received lL'.llo p.m.) SH.\\(; H AI. June 14. That Japanese marines brutally beat their victim with bayonets and rifles while he was lying disarmed on the ground, was revealed by a witness at the inquest into the death of Mr. R. M. Tinkler, a British employee at the Pootung mill, who was arrested by the Japanese on June 6 following a clash at the mill and who died the following day.

Ihe witness, Mr. William Rankin, added that he saw Tinkler tire a shot into the ground. The Japanese attacked him alter a marine had approached him from behind and knocked the pistol from his hand. The Japanese alleged that Mr. Tinkler had tired on a Japanese officer at the mill. He was taken to hospital in Honkew with three bayonet wounds in the abdomen, a head wound from a ritte butt, and an injured foot. Two (Jerman and two Japanese Jiaval surgeons operated while three Japanese sentries guarded the operating theatre with fixed bayonets. Britain subsequently protested to Inkvo and took a serious view of the death of Mr. Tinkler. The Japanese denied that he was wilfully stabbed, but said that he might have come into contact with a bayonet. An Kmbas.sy spokesman cited his fate as an example of summary action against foreigirers trespassing on Japanese rights. Considerable indignation was expressed bv the British community in Shanghai.

JAP. AGITATORS. Causing Strikes In British Mills In Shanghai. REPRESENTATIONS MADE. British official Wireless. (Received 1 p.m.) Kl'dHY, June 14. The <|uestion of what measures will be appropriate regarding the Tientsin blockade is under examination and must depend, in some degree, upon the nature of the action taken by the Japanese. In so informing the House of Commons. Mr. K. A. Butler. Foreign UnderSecretary, emphasised that Britain is in close touch with France and America, and mentioned that Viscount Halifax is expecting a report from the British authorities in China oil the actual situation, which he would impart to the House at the earliest opportunity. Mr. Butler also stated that as the result of anti-British agitation a number of strikes had recently occurred in British-owned factories situated in the neighbourhood of Shanghai but outside the International Settlement. This agitation appeared to be directed by the Japanese-sponsored Chinese administration at Pootung, and there was reason to believe that certain Japanese elements were actively connected with it. Representations had been made by the Consul-General in Shanghai and the Ambassador in Tokyo requesting that early steps be taken to put an end to these activities.

"HANDS OFF" POLICY. America's Non-intervention In Tientsin Dispute. ANY ACTION NOT DISCLOSED. (Received 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 14. The State Department lias indicated that the United States will maintain a "hands off" policy in the difficulties between Britain and Japan, although the Government is concerned over the possibility of American involvement in the Tientsin incident since 400 American civilians and 23:5 marines are located there. *

* Mr. Cordell Hull. Secretary of State, denied that any suggestion had been received for American mediation or for the Tientsin Consul-General, Mr. Caldwell, to serve on a commission to adjust the controversy. He also denied that Britain had made any approach to Washington, and said Mr. Caldwell was doing what he could in the blockade situation, and the American Embassy in Tokyo was in touch with the Japanese Foreign Office. He declined to reveal what representations were made.