LOSS OF PRESTIGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 162, 10 June 1939, Page 9

LOSS OF PRESTIGE

BRITAIN IN FAR EAST

WEAKNESS OK POLICY

X EWSPAREU’S INDK TM ENT. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Cum right ) Received June 10, 0.10 a.in. LONDON. June 0. The Daily Herald, comment ing on the killing- of Mr R. M. Tinkler. says (hat now the only question is how low British prestige has sunk in the Ear Easl. Britain is reaping the fruits of a policy of yielding to Japanese ag-o-ressi'on since 10-51.

A Shanghai message states that five Senforth Highlanders, about to go aboard a British transport ship leaving for Home, jumped Of a lorry at Hmigkew and beat up a number ol uniformed Japanese until they were restrained by the British military police.

The Highlanders sn.d tins was their idea of celebrating the King’s Birthday.

A further message from Shanghai says that the Japanese-sponsored ( iiin:\se municipality uf Tientsin has ordered ils employees living in the AngloFrench Concession to evacuate .1 immediately. Chinese merchants are reported to be moving their goods out. An Independent Cable Service message from Hong Kong reports that the Chinese Government has issued a warrant for the arrest ol Wang Chingtvoi whose whereabouts are at present uncertain, accusing him ol traitrous activities.

Wang Ch'ng-wei entered into negotiations with the Japanese to conclude hostilities.

BRITISH COM PLAINTS

TINKLER INCIDENT. “U N J USTIEIA BL E BAYO NFT ING” SHANGHAI, June 9. Britain lias lodged a strong protest concerning Air R. AL Tinkler’s death, complaining firstly of the unjustifiable bayoneting after Air Tinkler was overpowered; secondly, the lailure ol the Japanese to provide early medical attention which might have saved ’.-is life; and thirdly, ol the relusal of the .Japanese to allow the British Consulate to see Air Tinkler.

The Tokin correspondent of the Times states that Admiral Kanazawa has expressed regret at Air I inkier s death. He did not endorse the spokesman's statement that. Air 'tinklers action was an insult to the Japanese Navv, but said it created most unpleasant feelings throughout the service. , . The Shanghai correspondent ot Hie Times slates that the British Consul has further protested to the. Japanese Consul against the anti-British agitation. and said the ( liiuesc workeis in the British-owned mills had been intimidated and forced to strike. Aimed agitators lin'd on two British employees endeavouring to persuade the miilhands to resume work. Tho Consul pointful out tluu ns *i result of the agitation two Chinese printing works, will a capital ol £2.000.1)00, had been forced to close down. The Japanese Army spokesman claims the trouble was the result ol a dispute between capital and humor, but the Press blatantly admits the political nature of the trouble. PILOT’S MISTAKE. The Japanese naval authorities now explain that the cruiser which was alleged to have tired on a Japanese ’plane was H.AI.S. Kent- which the pilot mistakenly assumed was attacking him whereas it was merely tiring blanks in target practice. OFTENSIVE GAINING.

The Daily Telegraph’s Hong Kong correspondent says that the ollensive a.t Jchang, which began on May 31. is gaining momentum and apjiears to lje the focal point in the Chinese and Japanese comlict. The Japanese vanguard of 5000 men has crossed the Han River, and the main body of the vast army is assembling on the west bank. Simultaneously. the Japanese are conducting an offensive in the Shansi and Shantung provinces. They have surrounded the Cliung-chiao mountain range which is parallel to the Aellow River, and are swooping clown the southern iootlulr-> toward Sinn, the key city on "the Red route to Russia.” It is reported (lint Atn.rshnl ('lining Kai-shek has ordered a nation-wide purge of flic armv and civilians. It is reliably stated that 500 have been arrested and scores executed lor csp'onage. , , , . One war eorresjinndcut has been executed and five arrested, including an American.