CHANGED TONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 15

CHANGED TONE

JAPAN'S ATTITUDE OFFICIAL CLAIM ACTS MISINTERPRETED CO-OPERATION WANTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Juno 23, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 23 The Japanese are apparently climbing down at Swatow, according to a report from the British United Press correspondent ,at Tokio. He says the Japanese Foreign Office spokesman declared that the Japanese Navy's actions had been grossly misinterpreted. The Navy had merely given the usual friendly warnings to foreigners in order to avoid unnecessary incidents in the war zone. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, had circularised the Powers to this effect, drawing attention to the danger areas. Faced with a barrage of questions about Tientsin, the spokesman added: "We want British co-operation. The views already expressed remain those of the Japanese authorities, who are awfiiting further developments. All are treated alike at the barricades, but each according to his merits. The British are typically arrogant."

TIENTSIN SITUATION FEEDING INHABITANTS PRECAUTIONS TIGHTENED JAPANESE SEARCH GERMANS (Received June 23, 11.35 p.m.) TIENTSIN, June 23 The body of a Chinese dressed like a coolie was observed hanging on the electrified wires near the United States barracks. Apparently he had been electrocuted when leaving the French concession overnight. Hundreds of docile Chinese are queueing at near-by searching posts, where some Germans for the first time were ordered to wait with the Chinese. Meat was available in the British market this morning, but there was none in the municipal market or in private stores. British troops are tightening their precautions in view of the threatened anti-British demonstration in the Chinese city. It is feared the mob might be incited to march on the concession.

Special guards have been placed at the markets to protect Chinese stallholders, whom the Japanese have threatened with reprisals unless they cease serving foreigners. Rising prices are worrying the authorities. The poorer quarters are suffering particularly. Belief measures are being devised. .... . According to the Independent Cable Service, a Japanese Consular spokesman stated yesterday that the concrete terms of the Japanese for a cessation of the blockade at Tientsin would not be revealed until the British had indicated a basis of settlement Protests against the unreasonable stopping and stripping, of persons entering the concession were received from Japanese shipping interests at Colombo, Durban and Capetown. They pointed out that such treatment is causing exasperation among foreigners, who are beginning to exert economic persecution. HUGE FIRES BURNING BUILDINGS DESTROYED (Received June 24, 12.45 a.m.) SHANGHAI, June 23 Huge fires started by the Chinese before their retreat are burning in Swatow and illumine the night sky for miles. They have destroyed numerous warehouses. The Chinese, in pursuance of their "scorched earth" policy, have also wrecked the waterworks. The Japanese report that the occupation was completed early this morning. JAPANESE ATTACK ITALIAN SHIP UNDER FIRE 3'inies Cable LONDON, Juno 22 The American captain of the Italian ship Roma reports that his vessel was pursued and fired on by two armed Japanese ships between Macao and Hongkong,. says the Hongkong correspondent of the Times. He took refuge in British waters.