FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1939, Page 7

FAR EAST

SEIZURE OF STEAMERS

[BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

TOKIO, February 4.

The Tsingtao correspondent of the Domei News Agency reports that after the Japanese seized the .tramp steamer Yungsheng on suspicion of not declaring a quantity of currency and silver bullion intended' for the Chinese, the British cruiser Birmingham arrived, landed an armed party, confiscated the Yungsheng’s papers in order to prevent the investigation, and would not allow Customs officers to board the Birmingham.

The Japanese also seized two Norwegian steamers.

AIR RAIDS’ HAVOC.

CHUNGKING, February 4

Japanese bombing aeroplanes killed 1,400 at Kewiyang and Wanhsien. The latter town was almost destroyed by fires. REPLY TO POWERS. (Received February 6, 11.30 a.m.) TOKIO, February 5. It is understood that the Foreign Office is submitting to Cabinet the draft of the reply to the recent English, French, and American protest, declaring Japan does not share their views regarding the position in China, and is of opinion an international conference will not contribute to a solution of the problem.

MISSIONARIES’ WORK.

AUCKLAND, February 6

Speaking of his visit to China, Rev. D. N. MaScDiarmid, Director of Missions of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church, who returned by the Mariposa, said that, although fighting and bombing were taking place daily, the mission hospitals were carrying on, and their work had greatly increased.

“It is safe to say that nothing has ever happened in China to so endear the missionaries to the people as this period of fighting. The Chinese and the missionaries alike have undergone the same baptism of fire, and’ this has drawn them very close together,” he said.

Speaking of the war, Mr Mac Diarmid said that the Chinese were confident of eventual victory, their slogan being, “Resistance and reconstruction.” The Chinese claimed that fourfifths of the territory nominally occupied by the Japanese was still under Chinese control, as Japanese control does not extend for more than a, few miles from the railways. The Chinese showed few signs of fear or hatred against the Japanese. They were a wonderful people, accustomed to a great toll of life through the floods and famines of the past.