JAPAN'S ARRESTS

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 7

JAPAN'S ARRESTS

MORE BRITISH SUBJECTS One Said to Have Suicided LAus & N.Z. Cable Assn.] TOKIO, July 29. Regarding the arrests of twelve prominent British subjects in Japanese cities by order of the authorities, the Ministries of War and Justice announced that they rounded up Britishers accused of anti-Japanese espionage. One of the twelve arrested, Melville Cox, the Far East manager for Reuter’s News Agency, was killed in a mysterious fall from the fourth floor of the Japanese Police Headquarters, while being questioned. H is officially announced that Cox committed suicide. - A later message says that Coxjumped from a window, while under examination and died. . . . The War' and Justice Ministries said that Cox had committed suicide, rather than face a probable convicA 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 >s 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. Another 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. 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. LONDON, JJuly 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 arrestee: 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* 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. “The Times’s” Shanghai correspondent says that a British subject, L. T. Woolley, who is a member Ol the Asiatic Petroleum Company, has been detained at Kobe. . ~.. . .

COX’S FATAL FALL

Japanese Officer’s Account

PLUNGED FROM THIRD STOREY WINDOW.

(Received July 31, 1.57 a.m.) TOKIO, July 30.

An. authentic version of Cox's case states he was arrested in a beach cottage at Chigasaki. He was escorted to Tokio and imprisoned. There the Consul-General, Mr R. L. Cowley, made an effort to see him, but was refused an interview. Mrs Cox delivered food and clothing for him on Saturday and Sunday, but she was prohibited from having an interview. Mr Cowley, on Monday afternoon, arrived at headquarters. Mrs Cox xyas running from the building, shouting “Jimmy’s been hurt!” Mr Cowley entered, being escorted, and he found ("Xx lying on a divan. An officer ot high rank said: “Come and I’ll show you what happened.” He went to the third floor and explained that he had been questioning Cox. He said Cox walked about the room, and drank some water. Suddenly, he plunged through a window. The officer add ed: “We treated Mr Cox very well, because h e was a foreigner. We gave him the best attention of three med.cal officers.” The fall broke both of Cox’s legs and arms, and injured his head. He was given injections, which restored him to consciousness, but he died when en route to hospital. . BRITISH AMBASSADORS REPRESENTATIONS TO JAPAN (Received July 31, 1.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 30. It is authoritatively stated that the British Ambassador, Sir R. Craigie, had an interview with Mr Matsuoka (Foreign Minister) on Monday regarding those arrested and he stressed that a serious view was taken n Britain, and perhaps elsewhere, ot the incident, it having political implications apart from any technical charges. (Received July 31, 1.53 a.m.) LONDON, July 30.

It is authoritatively stated that Sir R. Craigie gave explicit assurances to the Japanese Minister that the British community in Japan had no political organisations. He pointed out that there was a strong and efficient Nazi Party organisation in Japan. British Espionage JAPANESE ALLEGE A “NETWORK” (Received July 31, 12.5 a.m.) TOKIO, July 30. The Japanese Education Ministry is reported to be planning to replace five hundred alien instructors at Japanese education institutions with

five, when it is considered necessary. The Protocol will operate immediately.

Japanese instructors, owing to “tne discovery of a British espionage network.”

There also is to be stricter super vision of the Missionaries in Japan.

JAPANESE ARMY.

AGAINST PRO-BRITISH PEOPLE

(Received July 31, 1.57 a.m.) TOKIO, July 30.

M. Miyado said General Tojo told the Cabinet that the Japanese army would not hesitate to take drastic' measures against any Japanese assisting “foreign secret agents,” and a iso those wno were pro-British. MORE ARRESTS. (Received July 30, 11.10 p.m.) TOKIO, Ju.y 30. Three more British subjects in Japan have been arrested by order of the authorities. ESPIONAGE DENIED. (Received July 30, 9.50 p.m.; TOKIO. July 30. Mrs. Cox denied that her husband was engaged in espionage. She stated he merely had been doing the regular work of a foreign newspaper correspondent. Ban on U.S.A. Radio LATEST SHANGHAI DEVELOPMENT (Received July 31, 1.55 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 30. An American radio commentator here, Mr C. D. Alcott, has advised the United States Consul-General here, Mr Richard, that a RussianJapanese operative named Nathan Rabmovitch had telephoned demanding that Mr Alcott should cease ms tn-weekly radio broadcasts. It is understood that the United States authorities are taking this threat seriously, since Mr Alcott *s one of six prominent people, whose departure tne Nanking Government has demanded. JAPANESE CENSORSHIP. SHANGHAI MAILS. (Received July 30, 5.5 p.m.) MOSCOW, July 30. The Moscow radio says: Japanese officials have installed a post office at Shanghai in the French Concession. They intend to censor all mail NEW JAPANESE AMBASSADORTO UNITED STATES. (Received July 30, 9.50 p.m.) TOKIO, July 30. The paper “Yomiuri” said that Mr. Matsuoka (Japanese Foreign Minister) has offered the post of Ambassador to the United States to Mi. Yoshisuke Aikawa, the President of the Manchuria Heavy Industry Company. He is replacing Mr. Horinouchi. The “Yomiuri” added that Mr. Matsuoka intends avoiding any friction in Japanese-American relations, while being “in perfect readiness for the worst.”