JAPAN’S CONTROL

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1937, Page 5

JAPAN’S CONTROL

— ■ British Demand to be Met [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, November 28. It is learned from Shanghai that the Japanese have not only taken over the Chinese Post Office and wireless broadcasting services, but have installed censors, while the Customs have been virtually placed under Japanese control. The Chinese Customs ijepartment normally yields about £2l 000,000. The Japanese are now insisting that the Customs revenue be paid into the Japanese Bank, which will make the necessary deductions for the service of foreign loans. WESTERN POWERS’ PROTEST. LONDON, November 28. It is emphasised that three Powers, England, France and America, have protested to Japan against tne seizure of the Chinese Customs at Shanghai and Tientsin. The British Government is also insisting that Japan shall not challenge the validity of the land regulations, on which' the authority of the Shanghai Municipal Council rests. FRENCH BACK BRITISH DEMAND. (Received November 29, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says: It is understood that the French Government, without sending any individual note, has instructed its Ambassador in Tokio to inform. Japan that France associates herself I with the British Note, which is de-j manding a consultation regarding the future of the Chinese customs .at Shanghai.

JAPAN'S ASSURANCE

ABOUT CUSTOMS REVENUE. (Received November 29, 9.50 p.m.) SHANGHAI, November 29. The Japanese Embassy issued an assurance that the Tokio will give "due consideration” to the Powers’ interests in the Chinese customs revenue. TRADE LOSSES. GENEVA, November 28. The League’s monthly bulletin of statistics for November shows a. Chinese fall in imports from 21.5 million old gold American dollars in July to 9.6 million in August, and six millions in September and October, while exports are down by nearly half in the same period. In the same period, Japanese imports dropped from 60.5 millions to 41 millions, but exports were less affected.

Japan’s Attitude TOWARDS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS MUST BE* DIRECT. (Received November 29, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” says when en route to Western Japan to worship at the National shrines, the Premier, Prince Konoye, made a policy declaration to the press. In this he stated that Japan would not object to neutral powers _ offering to arrange for direct negotiations between Japan and China, but Japan would not tolerate any third party negotiations. The Premier says Japan will negotiate with Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek, or the Kuomintang, if the Nanking Government co-operates. Otherwise, the war will continue until the Chinese are crushed. “The .Times’s” Tokio correspondent reports that the Anglo-German conversations brought a prompt official intimation that’ Japan will return none of the German colonies received at Versailles.

The Vice-Minister for Overseas Affairs said: “The maintenance of the Japanese mandate over the South Seas Island is the established policy of this Empire.”

BRITISH HOMES IN SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, November 28. British women visited their homes in the British defence area for the first time for more than a month with the permission of the Japanese. They were given half an hour to remove small effects. 6000 CHINESE SURRENDER. LONDON, November 28. “The Times” Tokio correspondent says: A Chinese General, commanding 6000 riflemen, and a thousand spearmen, surrendered unconditionally at Weihsen. TIENTSIN UNDER MARTIAL LAW. LONDON, November 28. Because of the presence of Chinese gunman, the Japanese have proclaimed martial law at Tientsin. JAPANESE PUBLIC. SUBSCRIBE FOR AIRMEN. TOKIO, November 28. Besides substantial money gifts to the air forces of the Army and Navy, 146 aeroplanes have been built by popular subscription, and presented to the navy since the outbreak of war. MEDAL FOR BOY. " NEW YORK, November 27. The American Humane Association announces the award of a hero medal to Valentine Holdosi, a Russian-born schoolboy, of China, but how to locate and get the medal to him is a problem. The Association is unable even to learn the fate of its own Shanghai branch, and does not know whether the boy is still alive. It appealed to the Chinese Consul, who referred the matter to the American Consulate, at the International Settlement.

The Association said the boy, after fleeing from his home, situated in the Shanghai area undergoing shelling, realised that his pets, a chicken, two dogs and two canaries, had been left with a single day’s foot. Failing Vo obtain a permit to enter the zone, he slipped into the sectors, alternately targets for Japanese shells and Chinese snipers, and rescued his pets unharmed. Later he reached Whang-

poo wharf, when the police escorted him to the temporary headquarters of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. NEW YORK, November 29.

A United Press correspondent notified the Humane Association that Holdosi is alive and well and could be reached through the United States Consul at Shanghai.