TIENTSIN BLOCKADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1939, Page 7

TIENTSIN BLOCKADE

FOOD SUPPLIES IMPROVE

BROUGHT IN UNDER ESCORT

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

TIENTSIN, June 19.

The foot! situation has slightly improved, as a result of supplies beingbrought in by armed escort. A detachment of the Durham Light Infantry marched out to the Italian concession, where they filled up seven lorries with vegetables and re-entered the British concession without being challenged. ' The Central Chinese News Agencj reports that seven of IS pedlars caught delivering vegetables to the ritisl concession were forced to kneel in the roadway, with petrol tins over then heads, and were literally scorched to death by the midday sun, after whicii they were 'cremated. _ Because of the, continued, insults from pickets, the British Consul-Gen-eral (Mr. Jamieson) has warned British subjects not to attempt to pass the barricades unless it is vitally necossa>ry« ♦ The! spirits of the besieged, have risen, as a result of news that two British firms at Shanghai are resuming the shipment of cargoes to Tientsin. , . ’ The British ships Yatshing ami Chengtu traversed the Hai River without being stopped and arrived at the concession wharf, after which the owners ordered the resumption o shipments from Shanghai. A restriction has been, imposed on the consumption of water, to. avoid a shortage.

JAPANESE REJECT DEMANDS.

TIENTSIN, June 19

The Japanese. Consul has rejected the British Consul's) renewed demands that the Japanese should cease the discrimination against British subjects and relax the restrictions on the transport of food. The Japanese Consul asserted that the measures had been instituted, in self-defence, and the established policy would not be changed. The British authorities are considering the evacuation of women and children to nearby seaside resorts. The Chief of Police (Mr. Dennis) reveals that the Japanese sent a letter to Chinese members of the concession police, threatening violence by death unless they resign. The Domei News Agency asserts that Chinese feeling is rapidly mounting against the British, whom' they blame for loss of employment. The French attitude so far is praised, but the Japanese are' sceptical about the future,.on the ground that the French concession is harbouring pro-Chianig Kai-shek elements and permitting the use of illegal wireless equipment. The Japanese commander of the blockading troops declared: “There is no difference between here and the front line, so far as fighting Chiang-Kai-shek is concerned.”

Army; authorities announce that, from 10 p.m., local time, an area 31 miles av ide, surrounding the AngloFrench concessions, will be charged with 220 volts.

A message from Tokio stated that a direct Shanghai-Rome wireless service has been inaugurated.

ENGLISHMEN DEGRADED

TIENTSIN, June 19. Two unnamed Englishmen reported to the Consulate that they were stripped naked, at a Japanese searching post, aftei’ which they were subjected to the most-obscene degradations, and. were forced to dress outside, in full view of a Chinese crowd. A JAPANESE PROTEST. TOKIO, June 19. Japan has protested to the British naval authorities, against the action of H.M.S. Scarab, in forcibly landing goods at Wuhu. An apology is demanded. It is alleged that the Scarab’s crew pointed machine-guns at Japanese officers and men. The Domei Agency declares that only the patience of the Japanese soldiers prevented bloodshed'. TO PURCHASE HONG KONG? (Received June 20, 10.30 a.m.) TOKIO, June 19. The newspaper “Kokumin Shimbun” says that the Nanking Government is willing to purchase Hong Kong from Britain. A Tientsin message stated that the local Japanese newspapers are running a campaign, declaring that British must not remain in China, in any circumstances. The latest estimates; give 1700 British subjects as resident ini the’ British Tientsin concession. Official, figures obtained in the Summer of 1938 give the total population of the Concession as 76,815. TRADE WITH DEMOCRACIES. LONDON, June 19. ■ The “Daily Express’” points out that Japan exports £130,000,000 worth of goods a year to the democracies and' colonies, and less, than £3,000,000 to Germany and Italy. It is therefore obvious what would happen if the democracies- stopped trading with Japan. The “Daily Express” also states that Japanese agents in London are negotiating a deal which is reported to involve £1,700,00, by which they would sell to British importers the •Whole of Japan’s surplus canned salmon amounting to 680,000 cases, while great stocks would remain unsold in the Canadian warehouses. The Domei Agency reports that the Japanese authorities stated that, if Britain retaliates with economic action, Japan will be released' from her obligation to protect and respect British property in China. ' U.S. ASIATIC FLEET. TIENTSIN. June 19. The United States Asiatic Fleet has arrived at Chefoo, on Summer manoeuvres. Rear-Admiral Yarnell, commanding the Fleet, has left for Tientsin, where he will inspect the garrison of United States marines.