Japs Land at Swatow

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 7

Japs Land at Swatow

Another Treaty Port Invaded FORCING THEIR WAY INLAND United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, June 21. Japanese Army and Navy forces landed at Swatow (200 miles northeast of Canton) at dawn, according to a Japanese communique. The British United Press correspondent at Hongkong reports that the Japanese stopped and turned back three British ships bound for Swatow. The Japanese are forcing their way inland despite strong opposition. Foreign shipping has been warned off by the Japanese Navy. A Tokio message says it is officially announced that Japanese warships entered Swatow Harbour at 8.30 a.m. According to Hongkeng, the Japanese landed at three points in the vicinity of Swatow. The British destroyer Thanet and the United States destroyer PiLlsbury are standing by in the interests of 80 British subjects and 40 Americans in Swatow. The first landing party consisted of 350 troops and the major landing followed with the methodical disembarkation of infantry and artillery. Another column landed north of Swatow apparently intending to encircle the city and cut the railway inland. The Japanese Consul at Hongkong states that the landing is necessary as munitions are carried via Swatow. The Foreign Office spokesman at Tokio stated that every effort would be made to respect the rights of Third Powers at Swatow, also to prevent damage to the city. He hoped the Third Powers would understand Japan’s real intentions and co-operate, thus preventing incidents. The Japanese Foreign Office, referring to Swatow, states that the landing of the Army and Navy are merely an extension of purely military action for the purpose of , destroying the bases of Chiang Kaishek’s resistance. The Japanese policy of respecting the rights and interests of Third Powers remains unchanged.