ARRESTS IN JAPAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1940, Page 7

ARRESTS IN JAPAN

TEN BRITISH SUBJECTS

ESPIONAGE ALLEGED

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.

LONDON, July 29.

Japanese' police, acting simultaneously in several cities, arrested 10 prominent British subjects. No reason is given for the action. The British Ambassador to Japan (Sir Robert Craigie) called on the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) to discuss, the arrests, but the result of the interview has not been disclosed.

Those arrested are Captain C. H, James, of Tokio, a retired naval officer and chief representative of the Federation of British Industries, four Kobe residents, Mr Holder, who is president of the local British Association, Mr E. W. James, Mr F. M. Jonas, and Mr J. F. Drummond, two Osaka business-men, Mr H. C. MacNaughton, who is honorary Consul for Greece, and Mr J. F. James, two brothers named Ringer from Shimonoseki and Nagasaki, and Reuter’s Tokio correspondent, Mr J. Cox, who is being charged under the military secrets regulations. The British Consul was not allowed to interview Mr Cox. A New York report says that the arrested men may be charged With espionage. ANOTHER DETAINED (Recd. July 30, 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. “The Times’s” Shanghai correspondent says that a British subject, L. T. Woolley, who is a member of the Asiatic Petroleum Company, has been detained at Kobe. MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY (Recd. July 30, 9 a.m.). TOKIO, July 29.

Melville Cox, the Far East manager for Reuter’s, was killed in a mysterious fall from the fourth floor of the Japanese 1 Police Headquarters, while being questioned. It is officially announced that Cox committed suicide. A later message .says that Cox jumped from a window, while under examination, and died.

A FIRST STEP.

(Recd. July 30, 9 a.m.). LONDON, July 29

The Associated correspondent at Tokio says: The Foreign Office disclosed that the Britons were arrested by the military police under the direction of the prosecutors, as a first step against an alleged countrywide British espionage network. A total of 12 •Britons have been arrested since Saturday, it is believed in connection with military secrets. Sir R. Craigie has twice protested, once formally, and also personally protested to Mr. Matsuoka. He requested information concerning the arrests.

JAPANESE STATEMENTS

(Recd. July 30, 9.45 a.m.). TOKIO, July 29.

The Ministries of War and Justice announced that they rounded up Britr ishers accused of anti-Japanese espionage. They said that Mr. Cox (Reuter’s representative) committed suicide, rather than face a probable conviction. . A note addressed to his wife, found on Cox’s person, reads: “I know what is best. Always my only love. I have been quite well treated, but there is no doubt how matters are going.” In the light of the above note, it seems that, with the progress of the investigation, deceased became aware of the fact that he could not escape conviction. The other announcement relative to the arrests states: In view of the ever-increasing activities of foreign organisations, espionage and conspiracy in this country lately, the military, under the direction of the prosecutors, made the first step on July 27, by arresting those constituting part of the British espionage network covering the entire country.

DIRECTOR’S DENIAL.

(Recd. July 30, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 29.

Mr Guy Locock, Director of the Federation of British Industries, referring to the Shanghai arrests, says the charge of espionage against any representatives of the Federation of British industries, is fantastic. They are concerned solely with commercial matters. The brothers Ringer are Michael, from Shimonoseki, and Vanya, from Nagasaki. Vanya is honorary Consul for Sweden, Norway, and Portugal.

BRITISH DOUBTS.

TOKIO, July 29.

Britain has demanded a full investigation into Cox’s death. British officials are not inclined to accept what purports to be his farewell note, and have also asked for substantiation of the charges of espionage network.

U.S.A. MARINES INCIDENT.

(Recd. July 30, 9 a.m.). SHANGHAI, July 29.

Mr. Butrick Peck visited the Consul, Mr. Miura, and expressed American regrets for the Oriental Cafe incident, which Mr. Miura accepted as a satisfactory settlement, and withdrew the claims for compensation.

CHINA’S REFUSAL.

HONG KONG, July 29.

It is reported that China has rejected Japanese overtures, involving an armistice, with an all-embracing settlement at the expense of third Powers.

OUTLINE OF TERMS.

(Recd. July 30, 1 p.m.). HONG KONG, July 29.

The Japanese proposals which the Chinese rejected, are reported to. be the following:— Firstly, outright cession of the five provinces of Hopei, Chahar, Shantung, Shansi and Suiyuan. Secondly, recognition of Wang Chirig Wei as President of the Chinese Republic, made up of the remaining provinces, plus British Burma, French Indo-China and Thailand, in which China and Japan would share the economic opportunities. Thirdly, Manchukuo’s status left in abeyance indefinitely. j