ANTI-BRITISH FEELING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 134, 9 June 1939, Page 11

ANTI-BRITISH FEELING

CONSUL PROTESTS

FOMENTED BY JAPAN

MYSTERY DEATH AT POOTUNG

(Received June 9, 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, June 8

The Shanghai correspondent of "The Tunes" says that the British Consul has again protested to the Japanese Consul against the anti-British agitation. The Consul said that Chinese workers in British-owned mills had been intimidated and forced to strike. Armed agitators had fired on two Britishers who were endeavouring to persuade the mill hands to resume work, and pointed out that as a result of the agitation two Chinese printing works with capital of £2,000,000 had been forced to close down.

The Japanese Army spokesman claims that/the trouble is the result of a dispute between Capital and Labour, but the Press blatantly admits its political nature.

The representative of "The Times" at Tokio says that Admiral Kanazawa expressed regret at the death of Mr. R. M. Tinkler. He did not endorse the spokesman's statement that Mr. Tinkler's action was an insult to the navy, but said it had created most unpleasant feelings throughout the service.

An Englishman, Mr. H. McAhster, who belongs to the same firm as the late Mr. Tinkler at Pootung, is reported to have died in mysterious circumstances. He was found collapsed over a table in the mill office, and he did not regain consciousness. A preliminary examination has revealed no signs of violence

A Shanghai message states that the British Consul-General has requested the Japanese to take immediate measures to protect British property, and particularly to suppress antiBritish agitation in Pootung and prevent the intimidation of Chinese workers in British mills there.