JAPANESE BLOCKADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 5

JAPANESE BLOCKADE

SITUATION AT HONG KONG [By CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] HONG KONG, August 24. The British colony is virtually on. wartime footing in the face of a omplete Japanese blockade. The Government has appealed to all Jritish subjects over 41 to enrol in he air-raid precautions, the fighting orces, and the civilian defence serices. The response has been magnifient and the actual mobilisation of hem is the only additional sfep necesary. British women and children have een advised to leave the border owns. The steps taken are precautionary ecause of the European situation and ot through fear of Japanese action. IMPROVEMENT AT SHANGHAI LONDON, August 24. The Shanghai correspondent of the ritish United Press says: It is reably stated that Japan has assured ritain that her authorities have been istructed to keep the anti-British ovement under control. The British admit that the situation is improved. The Japanese Commander, Yamada, hen interviewed, appealed to the aird Powers in China to co-operate

for the earliest restoration of peace. He gave the impression that Japan is eager to deal reasonably with the foreign interests. The Nanking Puppet Government has sent a strong protest to Sir Clark Kerr, regarding the incident on Saturday last, when two Chinese were shot dead in Shanghai by a British military sergeant. HABEAS CORPUS REFUSED LONDON, August 23. Mr. Justice Cassels dismissed the application for a writ of habeas corpus sought in connection with the four Chinese prisoners held by the British in Tientsin, holding that no case had been made out that the Chinese had been illegally detained. Judge Cassels said that, a writ could not be issued against the Foreign Secretary because Lord Halifax's position in the matter was that of an adviser. TIENTSIN FLOODS TIENTSIN, August 24. The floods have become worse and the river has risen 13 feet above the lowest sections of the city. The Italians have declared martini law in an effort to maintain order among the thousands of Chinese attempting to take refuge in the concession.