SHANGHAI DEFENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 39, 14 August 1940, Page 9

SHANGHAI DEFENCES

MEETING OF HEADS

JAPANESE NOT PRESENT

LONDON, August 13.

A Shanghai message says it is authoritatively disclosed that the United States Consul-General, Mr. Peck, yesterday summoned a meeting of all the defence commanders and proposed that the United States marines take over all the British defence sectors south of Soochow Creek, leaving the Japanese one British sector north of the creek between the Honan and Yuyaching Roads and north to the boundary road and north station.

The Japanese refused to attend on the grounds, first, that Mr. Peck instead of the Japanese authorities summoned the meeting; second, that they desired a later date, and third, that the meeting was called in the municipal council building instead of the Japanese naval landing barracks.

The British and Italian commanders attended and representatives of the French Municipal Council sent observers.

The proposal was held over till Thursday for a meeting of defence commanders which has been called in the Japanese naval landing barracks.

The Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Japanese military spokesman declined to deny reports that Japan is contemplating a movement of troops across Indo-China to strike against China.