ACUTE TENSION

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

ACUTE TENSION

TIENTSIN CONCESSION BRITISH TROOPS INCREASED FURTHER INDIGNITIES JAPANESE BARBARITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON", .Tune 22 Further reinforcements of British troops arrived from Peking and Changhaikwan, in view of rumours that a coup is imminent, and of anxiety as to the outcome of antiBritish demonstrations in the Chinese city scheduled for to-morrow, says a message from Tientsin. British naval units are patrolling the wharves. The Japanese have extended martial law to the Han Iliver. Fresh indignities are being heaped oil Britons in the beleagurod concession as spiteful reprisals after tlie refusal of the British and American naval authorities to withdraw their warships from Swatow. Seven Britons 111-treated Seven Britons were involved in the latest outrages by Japanese gendarmes, including high officials of the PekingMukden railway; Mr. Cecil Davis, honorary agent of the New Zealand Government; Mr. It. House, importer; and Mr. H. Lord, assistant secretary of the Tientsin ft ace Club. The three men named sought admission to the former German concession. Mr. Davis was admitted after a formal search. Mr. House and Mr. Lord were asked: "Are you English?" They replied: "Yes," whereupon they were thrown on to some matting in a but and forced to strip naked in full view of Chinese coolies, and women and children passing through the hut for examination. British Consul's Strong Protest Mr. Lord was ordered to open his mouth, and his passport was rammed between his teeth, while his hair was ruffled and lie was otherwise insulted. Mr. E. G. Jamieson, British Consul, lias lodged a strong protest, and has also again demanded the release of Mr. G. A. Smith, who is being held by the Japanese. Soviet officials are reported to have been subjected to even greater indignities, especially women. Belgian and French subjects have not been molested. Japanese sentries stripped Mr. D. Finlay, a bank employee, and confiscated the Chinese currency he was carrying. The Russian Consul-General has protested against interference at the barricades of the Russian, British and French concessions. The Japanese authorities at Amoy rejected the joint British, French and American protest against the blockade of Kulangsu. This may result in warships taking in food.

AGGRESSIVE ACTS DISCUSSION IN COMMONS PRIME MINISTER'S HOPES (Received June 23, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, June 11 Several questions relating to the situation in the Far East were put to the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in the House or Commons to-day. Mr. Arthur Greenwood, actingleader of the Labour Opposition, asked whether, in view of what were now becoming' repeated acts of aggression, Mr. Chamberlain would consider taking rather stronger action to express Britain's displeasure at the Japanese activities.

In reply, Mr. Chamberlain said the Government viewed the acts referred to with great concern. In the case of Tientsin, whose position was most acute, the Government, of course, was still hoping that it might be possible by negotiations to settle the local issue. If those negotiations should fail, the Government was considering what further steps should be taken.

Sir John Wardlaw-Milne (Conservative—Kidderminster), asked if the Prime Minister was aware that reports had been current in Japan to the effect that the British Ambassador. Sir Bobert Craigie, appeared two or three days ago before the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, to sue for mercy. Would Mr. Chamberlain make it clear that there was not a word of truth in the reports? Mr. Chamberlain: Of course on the face of it such a suggestion will at once bo seen to be preposterous. Nothing of the kind ever occurred. j\lr. P. J. Noel-Baker (Labour — Derby), asked was it not becoming increasingly clear that this was general aggressive attack on al] foreign rights in China, and that there might be an attempt at domination in tlio Far East. The Prime Minister: I hope that will not prove to be the case.