Nearly A Clash In International Area

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1938, Page 5

Nearly A Clash In International Area

Ugly Situation Follows WomanBeating Incident

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, January 8. Despatches from shanghai state that an ugly situation HAS DEVELOPED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT. A RUSSIAN VOLUNTEER AND A POLICEMAN PREVENTED A JAPANESE SOLDIER ON THE EDGE OF THE FRENCH CONCESSION FROM BEATING A CHINESE WOMAN, WHO. AGAINST THE REGULATIONS, HAD GONE TO THE FRENCH SIDE OF THE ROAD TO DRAW WATER. The Japanese knocked down the Russian and tried to wrest his rifle from him. The Russian retained the rifle and drew a revolver against the Japanese. Fifteen Japanese soldiers then began to drag the Russian to the adjoining sector. Another Russian blew a police \vhistle,, and two French armoured cars and a vanload of Russians took up their positions facing 100 Japanese with machine-guns. A heated half-hour’s parley ended in an agreement, the terms of which are not disclosed, and the French and Japanese officers shook hands. Subsequently, the Japanese marines tore down two Union Jacks and substituted Japanese flags on the British-owned New Asia Hotel, from which they removed the furniture. The Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press reports that the Municipal Council is protesting against Japanese violation in the foreign defence sectors. The British Consulate’s representatives hitherto have been concerned only with attacks on British policemen, which the council now supports.

♦ {The Japanese allege that Sergeant I Turner, who was maltreated by Japanese, used abusive language, but Turner denies that. ' The American chairman of the municipality, Mr Franklin, has registered a strong protest with the Japanese authorities. He points out that, whether or not the incident was due to a misunderstanding, even to provocation, nothing could excuse what followed. Unless steps were taken to prevent a recurrence, confidence in the efficiency of the police would be impaired. He asked to be informed what corrective steps the Japanese contemplated.

A Welshman, Jerry Morgan, complained to the British Consul-General that Japanese arrested him on December 25, and detained him for four and a-half days, during which time he was maltreated, until his plight was disclosed. It is alleged that he attempted to acquire three Japanese oil barges. British Press Comment. Discussing the general situation created by the Japanese military action at Shanghai, both the “Daily Mail” and the“ Daily Telegraph” make the point that, in the words of the “Mail”; “There seems to be little connection between orders of Tokio and the acts of its armed forces.” This is echoed throughout the Press comment. Leader writers also direct their attention to the requests made on January 4 by the Japanese authorities to the Municipal Council of the International Settlement for an increase in the number of Japanese in the police force, and in both the higher administrative and general personnel in the council’s employment. Full Report Received.

A full report on these requests has been received by the British Government from the British Consul-General at Shanghai, and it is under expert consideration. It would be in conformity with the policy pursued since the beginning of the trouble in the Far East if the conclusion of this examination of the proposals in relation to the Shanghai Land Regulations were followed by consultations with other interested Powers.

The Foreign Office denies that there is any foundation for a report from Shanghai alleging a vague legal basis fo rthe authority of the Municipal Council. The Foreign Office is considering a report dealing with Japanese proposals concerning the council. Diplomatic discussions with Washington and Paris will follow.