ATMOSPHERE TENSE

Evening Star, Issue 22276, 29 February 1936, Page 15

ATMOSPHERE TENSE

CRYPTIC CABLEGRAM " SITUATION APPROXIMATELY UNCHANGED" SHANGHAI, February 28. The wires from Tokio have been completely silent all morning except for a cryptic cablegram, “ Situation approximately unchanged,” suggesting that the censorship, which was relaxed yesterday, has again been tightened up, raising doubts whether the rebels have actually surrendered. Japanese sources in Shanghai are also without news and they fear the situation may have become worse. MILITARY DICTATORSHIP ? GENERAL ARAKI MENTIONED SHANGHAI, February 28. An unconfirmed report _ from Tokio states that the former Minister of War

(General Araki) has established a military dictatorship. ULTIMATUM TO REBELS ' TOKIO. February 28. ’ The rebels have been given until noon to surrender. NO CHANGE IN FOREIGN POLICY TOKIO, February 28. (Received February 29, at 11 a.m.) The Foreign Office spokesman stated that there will be no change in Japan’s foreign policy. He denied the suggestions that Japan had become firmer against Russia. He added that the assassinations were purely an internal matter, and were not due to the alleged weakness of the Government’s foreign policy.

Military Revolt in Japan Abrupt Closing of News Services Arrest of English Journalist Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright 9 LONDON, February 28. (Received February 29, at 2 a.m.) The abrupt closing of all cable and telephone services is a prelude to fears of further trouble in Tokio. Reports have reached Shanghai that the rebels have refused to evacuate the positions which they were given until noon to surrender. Subsequent messages suggest that the Government forges advanced to the enemy positions and forced them to surrender after minor skirmishes. Cabinet Ministers and military leaders are continuing their conferences. The appointment of a Prime Minister partly depends on a consultation with Prince Saionji. Outwardly the city is quiet, but the atmosphere is tense, and-it is generally considered that the rebels enjoy the Sympathy of. powerful sections of the army, whose wrath will descend on the Government if it sheds the blood of “ patriots.” Financial circles favour a strong coalition as the.only escape from a military dictatorship. There seems, however, little hope of checking the militarists. ■ Mr Gerald Sampson, an English author-journalist, residing at the Imperial Hotel, Tokio, was arrested on a charge of criticising martial law. The hotel guests and the police declined to furnish information. The British Embassy will not permit anyone to see him.

MUTINEERS SUBMISSION REPORTED SINGAPORE, February 28. (Received February 29, at 11 a.m.) , A Foreign Office despatch states that the mutineers submitted to persuasion and promised to return to barracks. The situation was previously viewed pessimistically, but the last-minute efforts of the military authorities succeeded.' A Shanghai message states; The Minister of the Navy called a, conference of the high naval officers to consider the situation from a naval viewpoint. The guard of marines at the Ministerial offices was strengthened, REPORT NOT CONFIRMED TOKIO, February 28. (Received February 29, at 11 a.m.) A broadcast at 10 p.m. (Japanese time) • announced that the rebels were still holding a certain area. The .morale of the Government troops, however, was high., They were maintaining the strictest guard, and there was perfect order outside the rebel position. ■ "ALL QUIET" (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 28. (Received February 29, at 1 p.m.) The situation fn Tokio is still obscure, but the Japanese Embassy in London states that it has received no news of fighting there to-day. The Embassy’s latest information is “ All quiet.”