INCIDENTS AT SWATOW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 1 July 1939, Page 5

INCIDENTS AT SWATOW

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION IKritieb Official Wire lees] (Received Ist July, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, 30th June. In the House of Commons Mr P. J. Noel-Baker (Lab.) asked the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain about the Japanese action at Swatow in preventing the British ships Seistan and Kwangtung from entering port, and in occupying Butterfield and Swire’s wharf, and hauling down the British flag; and also about the declaration of the Japanese commander at Tientsin that the blockade of the concession would be intensified. Mr R. A. Butler. Parliamentary Und-der-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said: “These two ships did not call at Swatow on the advice of the local British Naval authorities. Obstructions have been placed in the neighbourhood of Butterfield and Swires’ wharf, but it ha* not been occupied. The Foreign Secretary's reports do not confirm the accounts of the hauling down of the British flag there, or of the statement attributed to the Japanese Commander at Tientsin." Mr Baker then asked if Mr Butler had seen the statement that booms had been placed across the ports of Foochow and Wenchow, and that the Japanese in Tientsin stated that the Concession would be completely closed from Saturday. Mr Butler: I have seen the reports in the Press, but Lord Halifax has no official confirmation of the situation de scribed by Mr Baker at Foochow or Wenchow. On the subject of Tientsin, as the House is aware, negotiations are tc start in Tokio. and I have nothin* at present to add to the statements which Mr Chamberlain made on the subject Mr A. Henderson (Lab): Was it not well understood that while these negotiations were taking place there should be some relaxation rather than intensification of the blockade? Mr Butler: Yes. But as I said we have no official confirmation of the statement attributed to the Japanese military commander.