ANGRY BRITISH

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 9

ANGRY BRITISH

TIENTSIN. June 13, (Received June 14, at 11 a.m.)

The British Concession's mood is more one of anger than apprehension, and British residents are determined to stick out the Japanese blockade.

WHOLE POSITION EXPLAINED STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF COMMONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 13. leceived Juno 14, at 11.30 a.m.) The situation at Tientsin was the subject of questions in the House of Commons. Replying, Mr Butler said that on April 9 the manager of the Federal Reserve Bank and the nowlyappointed Superintendent of Customs was assassinated in the British Concession. The assassin, a Chinese, escaped. The municipal authorities invited Japanese co-operation, and carried out a number of raids in the concession, as the result of whi - ,h several arrests were made. The Japanese alleged that four of these were members of a terrorist gang connected with the above murder and with the death of three Japanese soldiers. These men were handed over to them for questioning, and made confessions implicating themselves which, however, they later retracted when taken into the custody of the British municipal authorities, A warn-

ing proclamation was issued on June 7 that any breach of neutrality in future wohld be dealt with by either handing the culprit over to the de facto authorities for trial or by expulsion from the concession. The four men in. question, however, were arrested before the issue of thai proclamation.

Mr Butler added that in the absence of evidence connecting them with the crime, other than their own confessions made while in the custody of the Japanese, and as they allege that they were under torture, Britain had pot felt justified in giving instructions for them to be handed over to the local district court This attitude was in accordance with the practice followed for the past 22 months. The British Consul-General accordingly informed his Japanese colleague on June 7 that the four men would be held by him pending production of further evidence, failing which they would be eventually expelled from the concession. Two other men found in possession of bombs would be handed over, and in future offenders would be dealt with as in the proclamation referred to above. The Japanese indicated that they considered this reply to be unsatisfactory, and certain measures had already been taken to effect the removal of Japanese business houses from the concession and to isolate it. The situation was serious, but negotiations were still proceeding, and it was hoped that a settlement could be reached. Asked if the Japanese realised the serious results of the action they were reported to be contemplating, Mr Butler replied: “ I think the_ Japanese are aware of Britain’s attitude.’

CHIHESE CAPTURE STRATEGIC TOWNS CHUNGKING. June 13. (Received June 14, at 10.5 a.m.) The Chinese report capturing strategic towns guarding the Yellow River, crossing and repulsing after a week’s battle a Japanese attempt to cross the stream and invade Shensi. The War Minister, Mr Ho Ching, states that the Japanese casualties since the outbreak of hostilities exceeded 860.000 dead and wounded STEAMER RELEASED SHANGHAI, June 13. (Received June 14, at 10.30 a.m.) The Japanese have released the steamer Tseangtah.

[The Japanese boarded and arrested the British chartered steamer Tseangtah while it was proceeding up the river. They ordered her to return to Tangku. The American skipper, Captain Vanmeter, was taken into custody.}