TWO JAPANESE

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 3

TWO JAPANESE

ARRESTED IN LONDON HEADS OF BIG COMPANIES Staffs Surprised not a reprisal. FOR ARRESTS IN JAPAN. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received August 4, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. Two Japanese have been arrested in London, under the Defence Regulations. . .. t They are Satoru Makihara, the head 'of the London branch of the Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, and Shumsuke Tanabe, the Acting-Chief of’ the London Branch of the Mitsui Bussan Kaisaa. The police are reported to have searched Makihara’s house before his arrest, but no papers were taken. The arrests, it is understood, nave been made under an Aliens Order, giving the Home Secretary the power to deport or to order the detention of aliens.

The detention of these Japanese is not a reprisal, but it merely coincides with the arrests of British subjects in Japan. Earlier Tokio reports had stated that a number of Japanese have been arrested in London and elsewhere in the Empire. It is learned that Lord Halifax (Foreign Minister), has had a twenty-five-minute interview with a Japanese Ambassador, and that he pointed out that these Japanese business men were arrested under the Aliens order in the interests of security. He emphasised that this was not in any way an act of reprisal. A spokesman at the Japanese Ambassador’s office, said: “We are flabbergasted, as the arrested men are syypathetic to Britain. They are probably more British-minded than the average Britisher. We hope that everything may be settled in a satisfactory way. We cannot imagine anything on their part to invite suspicion.” Mr Tanabe was transferred to the London office two or three months ago He has an English wife and daughter. The Mitsubishi Company have large palatial offices, and a plantation house in Fenchurch Street in the City of London. The Japanese staff did not know of the detentions until they read the evening papers. Members of his staff said Mr MakiLara has been Lonodn Manager of I the Company for nearly ten years. ! Japanese Feeling LIKELY TO BE RESENTFUL (Received August 4, 11.30 p.m.) TOKIO, August 3. The general opinion here is that the arrests of Japanese in England are a retaliation for the local round-up of British residents. 'The Foreign Office and the Navy spokesmen declined to comment. They said they are awaiting further details. The Mitsubishi Company said they had been informed only by the Domei News Agency. However, they indicated they are planning an appeal. Local semi-official sources have been asserting that such action as that taken would be merely! a retaliation, and would be strongly resented. They added that the Foreign Office. Navy and Army, upon receipt of details, would discuss the matter, and decide on a strong attitude 1 to Britain. According to local sources, also, the Foreign Minister Mr Matsuoka, would protest to Sir R. Craigie (British Ambassador), and Mr Shigemitsu (Japanese Ambassador at London). The newspaper “Yomiuri Shimbun” said that besides being “a disgraceful retaliatory scheme,” the London arrests were also an attempt to obstruct Japan’s European trade.