FEARS AROUSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 13

FEARS AROUSED

NEWS AVENUES CUT MORE TROUBLE SUGGESTED TENSITY OF ATMOSPHERE (Received February 29. 3.15 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28 The abrupt closing of all the cable and telephone services came as a prelude to fears of further trouble in Tokio. Despatches from Shanghai state that reports had reached there that the rebels had refused to evacuate their positions and had been given until noon to surrender. Subsequent messages suggest that the Government forces advanced on the enemy positions and forced them to surrender after minor skirmishes. Members of the Cabinet and military leaders are continuing their conferences. The appointment of a Prime Minister will depend partly upon a consultation with Prince Saionji. Outwardly Tokio is said to be quiet, but the atmosphere is described as tense. It is generally considered that the rebels enjoy the sympathy of powerful sections of the Arniv whose wrath would descend on the Government if it shed the blood of "patriots." Financial circles favour a strong coalition as the only escape from a military dictatorship. However, there seems to be little hope of checking the militarists. Mr. Gerald Sampson, an English author and journalist, who was residing at the Imperial Hotel, Tokio, has been arrested on a charge of criticising the proclamation of martial law. Other guests in the hotel and the police declined to furnish information to the British Embassy, and the authorities will not permit anyone to see Mr. Sampson. Earlier reports TERMS OF SURRENDER SEQUEL TO CONFERENCE The members of the Supreme War Council, which is believed to be divided, invited three leaders of the Direct Actionjst Party to confer at the Military Club. As a result the rebels, who had vacated the police offices for the unfinished Houses of Parliament, were reported to have agreed to surrender on secret terms, though it is believed they retained their arms. In the meanwhile the interested public had been gazing at the members of the Council through holes in hoardings. General Kashii conveyed to the Emperor the news of the rebels' surrender, and the troops guarding public buildings were ■ft'ithdrawn. The heavy fail of snow in Tokio is significant of the peace which descended on the city after the regiment which included the assassins returned to barracks from the various points its soldiers had occupied. They systematically stationed sentries, who faced the pickets of the gendarmerie and provincial regiments who had been drafted to patrol the city. Places of amusement are open and business has resumed its normal flow, though the sale of arms and ammunition is banned, public meetings are prohibited and newspapers are confining themselves to bare official statements. The Ist Fleet a meed at noon with guns ready for action and landed a strong marine guard. The 2nd Fleet is anchored at Osaka. FOREIGN EMBASSIES STRONG GUARDS ON DUTY LOYAL TROOPS REINFORCED LONDON. Feb. 27 j The Japanese Embassy in London has received the following official communique: "Martial law was proclaimed in Tokio at 2.15 a.m. to-day. The military, gendarmerie and police are cooperating in maintaining order. Ample protection has been afforded to the foreign Embassies. The Osaka and Kobe districts are not affected." Despatches from Tokio state that the resignations of Mr. Goto and his colleagues were accepted, but they are remaining in office for the time being. It is understood that the Emperor is seeking Prince Saionji's advice in respect to the formation of a new Government. This cannot be accomplished without the Army's consent and many people believe the influence of extremists will be strongly reflected in the Cabinet. Several regiments have arrived in the capital from the provinces to reinforce the Government troops. The British Ambassador and other diplomatic representatives called at the Foreign Office to express their condolences with the relatives of the murdered statesmen.