INDIGNATION FELT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 160, 8 June 1939, Page 9

INDIGNATION FELT

DEATH OF BRITISHER. FATALLY BAYONETED. SEQUEL TO CLASH. (United "Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received June 8, 9 a.m. SHANGHAI, June 7. A wave of indignation has swept the European community here over the fatal bayoneting of Mr It. M. Tinkler, who died early to-day, and tension is not lessened by a statement by the spokesman of the Japanese Embassy that Mr Tinkler’s action' was “a deliberate insult to Japan. I am surprised he was not shot on the spot.” An Independent Cable Service message from London says that Mr Tinkler was a former member of the Shanghai municipal police and had been employed at the Pootung finishing mill for some years. Officials at Whitehall point out that undoubtedly, as a result of deliberate instigation by the Japanese, there had been considerable labour agitation at the mill causing the employees to riot. Finally, on May 20, an armed British naval guard was stationed at the mill, but a few days later assurances were given by the Japanese that British lives and property, which were imperilled because of fomented riots, would adequately be protected. This led of the withdrawal of the guard. A. Press Association message from London states that Britain has protested to Tokio against the inadequate fulfilment of the Japanese undertaking to the armed guard at the British mills at Pootung, and seriously views the death of Mr Tinkler who, it is confirmed, died from bayonet wounds. A Shanghai message says the naval spokesman has alleged that Mr Tinkler was involved in the disorders and was disarmed by a Japanese marine. He was then surrounded by the Japanese with fixed bayonets, when lie may have come into contact with a bayonet, but the spokesman denied that he was wilfully stabbed. “SUMMARY ACTION.” The Japanese Embassy spokesman cited Mr Tinkler’s fate as an example of summary action against foreigners trespassing on Japanese rights. He added that anyone endangering the Japanese forces would be indefinitely detained, and even executed. He admitted that despite the British request for Mr Tinkler to be immediately handed over this was done only after his death which occurred 15 hours after he was wounded. The Consulate spokesman expresesd his surprise that Mr Tinkler was not shot and killed on the spot after arrogantly pointing and firing a revolver at the Japanese. . In the meantime, a Uomei (Japanese) News Agency message from Kalgnn. giving results of the examination of Lieut.-Colonel _ Spear, alleged that he was found hiding inside the Japanese lines and also that he was sending by a Chinese Communist a wireless message to the British authorities regarding the conditions inside tho Japanese lines. It is claimed that Lieut.-Colonel Spear was gathering information on behalf of the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communists.