BALLROOM RAID.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2393, 11 June 1924, Page 2

BALLROOM RAID.

SENSATION IN TOKIO, ANTI-FOREIGN DEMONSTRATION, TOKIO, June S. A demonstration which brought the anti-American feeling home to the foreign community was the break-up of the usual Saturday night dance at the imperial Hotel, the nerve-cenftro of tile social contact between foreign elements and the Japanese. A band of thirty Japanese invaded the ball, room and delivered menacing speeches, urging a boycott of American goods, the deportation and future exclusion of Americans from Japan, and a rising against foreigners. The speeches were punctuated with dances with drawn swords. As the proceedings were so menacing the foreign ladies, of whom about fifty were present. hurriedly left. A. collision between the men; and the intruders was threatened until the soberer Japanese prevailed on the .intruders to withdraw. Police were present, but did not interfere. The American Charge d’Affairs and members of the Embassy staff were among the witnesses. AN EXPLANATION. MOTIVE OF THE ACTION. TOKIO, June 8. Representatives of the Taikosha party, which is composed of extreme political reactionaries, declare that the demonstration at the Imperial Hotel was part of their programme, and was ’ directed, not agaf.nst foreigners, but against the Japanese present, who seek pleasure while the country Is 'faced with a grave crisis. The party intends to persist in the movement until Its aims are realised. Buddhist priests, during the next three days, will conduct a campaign in Tokio against the American Tmmigra* fcion law.