ADVICE TO LEAVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20385, 23 October 1940, Page 7

ADVICE TO LEAVE

BRITISH NATIONALS OCCUPIED CHINA JAP. UNCERTAINTIES LIVING AND BUSINESS (Eloc. Tol. Copyright—Unitort Prose Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 23, 9 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Oct. 22. The British Embassy has announced that it is advising non-essential Britons to evacuate the occupied areas in China. While no instructions for general evacuation have been issued to British subjects, for the present inquirers are being informed that if they have no special reason for remaining they should consider the advisability of leaving. It is estimated that there are 15,000 Britons in the occupied areas of China at present. The British shipping schedules are unable to handle any increased passenger traffic without adding to the accommodation, since all ships are fully booked. It is, therefore, anticipated that the British authorities will send special liners similar to the action taken by America. A Tokio message states it is learned there that the British Embassy is advising Britons to leave Japan wherever possible due to the present uncertainties and disadvantages of living and business conditions. Referring to the intensifying registration of nationals, the Japanese spokesman said that no compulsion was involved.