Japs Threat To Blockade British

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1939, Page 5

Japs Threat To Blockade British

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 11

The China Association in Tientsin has cabled the Foreign Office in. London, stating that the magnitude of the issues in Tientsin warrant most urgent consideration.

The Foreign Office is watching the position very closely. The Custom House, and also branches of the Yokohama Species Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank, have been transferred from the British to the* Japanese Concession in Tientsin, ' in accordance with the Japanese policy of isolating the French and British Concessions.

Many Japanese businessmen followed this example. Relations between Britain and Japan are steadily becoming worse. .' The; Japanese have advised their nationals at Tientsin to leave the British Concession. Steamer Turned Back. Japanese boarded and arrested the British chartered steamer Tseang-tah, while she was proceeding up the river, and ordered her to return to Tangku, says a message from Tientsin. The American captain, Van Meter, was taken into custody. A Russian emigrants’ organisation, claiming that it was Russian property, occupied the former ConsulateGeneral in the Japanese-controlled area, and tore down the Japanese flag.

A despatch from Tokio states that the British Ambassador to Japan, Sir Robert Craigie, discussed the. Tientsin, and Kalgan detentions for an hour with the Foreign Minister,. Mr Arita.

Preparing to Evacuate.

The Japanese announce that the French Concession at Tientsin „ must also be isolated, otherwise it will be impossible to blockade the adjoining British area. As a result of this first definite indication that Japan is serious, many Britons are preparing to evacuate, fearing they will be trapped by the blockade.

The Japanese agreed to release Lieutenant Cooper to-night, but refused to release Lieutenant-Colpnel

Spear

The Japanese are reported to have threatened to blockade the British Concession at Tientsin on June 14, unless the murderers of Chang Shikang, branch manager of the Federal Reserve Bank, are surrendered. The Domei News Agency says goods are being removed from the British and French Concessions, because the Japanese intend to cut off the British Concession from the outside world.

Relations Become Worse.

The Tientsin branch of the Yokohama Species Bank will break off relations with foreign banks on Monday.

Britain has protested to the Japanese Consul at Shanghai against antiBritish propaganda, and has requested that anti-British movements be suppressed in areas under Japanese control, including an agitation sponsored by employees of British firms outside the International Settlement.