Jap Cruiser Halts British Liner

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1939, Page 7

Jap Cruiser Halts British Liner

LONDON, May 24,

A Japanese destroyer held up, without reason, the P. and O. liner Eanpura, 50 miles from Hongkong, but, according to later messages from Hongkong, the Ranpura was released after 30 minutes’ detention, upon the intervention of the British destroyer, Duchess, She later arrived ,at Hongkong. The Ranpura’s passengers state that the Japanese destroyer fired twice across the liners’ bows from half a mile away, and then signalled “heave to.”

The liner went on at full speed in an attempt to gain British waters, only a mile away, but the destroyer gave chase and the Ranpura was stopped. Three Japanese officers boarded the Ranpura and examined her papers, despite the captain’s protests. The Ranpura radioed for help while the Duchess was exercising in the vicinity.

The passengers included Rear-Ad-miral A. J. L. Murray, who has .arrived to take command of the Sixth Cruiser Squadron. He stated that a guard of marines boarded the Ranpura with officers.from a Japanese cruiser which was flying an Admiral’s flag. The “Daily Herald’s” Hongkong correspondent says the Japanese authorities at Shanghai have issued an ultimatum to foreign shipping that, owing to military necessities, any vessel on the China coast is liable to seizure unless she is carrying a Japanese naval permit. This has amazed Hongkong shipping circles which refuses to believe Japan dares to carry out such a blockade. Kulangsu Settlement.

Negotiations between representatives of Britain, America, France and Japan have broken down on the question of Japanese representation on the Kulangsu Municipality. Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Noble, the British Commander-in-chief was obdurate, agreeing to discuss only the question of the landing parties. The Japanese claim that Kulangsu will be completely blockaded, and traffic will be permitted only to Amoy. A Japanese cruiser will be stationed midway between Kulangsu and the mainland, naval pickets permitting only Japanese vessels to use Kulangsu. French Ship Also Held Up. Later reports stated that the French iiner Ramis, conspicuously displaying large tricolours on her sides, was held up by a Japanese destroyer 17 miles north of Hongkorig. She was boarded and her papers examined and then allowed to proceed. .

“The Times” Shanghai correspondent says that foreign shipping circles connect the stoppage of British and French liners with the Kulangsu dispute and is believed to be an assertive gesture, though “The Times Hongkong representative points out that the passenger on me Ranpura, Mi Morris Cohen, formerly Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s bodyguard, may have attracted the Japanese.