TOKIO CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 July 1939, Page 7

TOKIO CONFERENCE

PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS

ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATION [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] TOKIO, July 14. The British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, and the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Arita, are meeting for preliminary discussions to-day and to-morrow. On the eve,:6£'she negotiations with Britain the city is plastered with posters, stating “Punch the British nose.” “Let's q.ll knock A parade is planned forlt is estimated that 15,000,000 attended yesterday’s demonstrations throughout Japan. A. huge at the British local time, shouting anti-B&itish slogans. Extra police were rushed to the Embassy, but they failed to disperse the mob.

Worked up to a frenzy,_ Hhe mob began to hurl stones at fhe Windows. They tried to crash the’ gates with motor-cycles. .• - ■■, v., - - ■■■ “The Times” says: If the Japanese introduce extraneous subjects at the Tientsin conference, for instance, cooperation by Britain, she will announce that she will,not discuss matters prejudicial t'o' herself and other Powers.

“ENEMY OF HUMANITY.”

TOKIO, July 14

A delegation delivered a resolution to the British Embassy, stating that 7,000,000 citizens of Tokio. are determined to overthrow Britain, which is the enemy of humanity. The demonstration was the largest against a foreign Power in the history of Japan. The Japanese News Agency says that the Central China Anti-British Federation at Nanking passed a resolution proposing to take temporary custody of British property, which could be returned when Britain-chang-es her attitud'e towards events in China. , , The Domei News Agency says:—“Everything in the case of Tientsin de-; pends on the British attitude at the Tokio negotiations. The blockade is merely the first stage. Japan is widening ' two further <stages, and will tighten them up progressively.

BOYCOTT DEMANDED.

TOKIO, July 14.

Anti-British demonstrations in 27 cities demanded a boycott of Japan’s foreign trade with Britain and Australia.

CONSULATE BOMBED.

TOKIO, July 14.

Two bombs were thrown at the British Consulate in Tsingtao, in the course of a big anti-British demonstration. Several of the windows were broken, but there were no casualties. The Japanese Consql-General at Tsingtao. called-an'd? apdlogised at the Consulate. He promised a full investigation. ' • z . ..He also told the British- Consulthe Japanese .would not protect- British lives -and, -property. in future, if the British protested and claimed damages for the demonstrations.

The British Consul has appealed for guidance from London.

CONSCRIPTION AT HONG KONG

HONG KONG, July 14

The Governor has approved the conscription of able-bodied! Britons, for defence. Of 2500 men affected’, 1700 are liable to combatant service,, for which 750 have volunteered.