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

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FOREIGN WARSHIPS SWATOW HARBOUR BRITISH AND AMERICAN STRENGTH INCEEASED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright <Kecei\'cd June 23. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 23 The British Consul-General at Shanghai replied to the Japanese categorically refusing to remove warships or Britons desiring to remain at Swatow. He emphasised that Britons have a perfect right to remain, and ships have a right to trade, because Swatow is a treaty port. m A despatch from Hongkong says it is officially announced that the naval authorities are advising British shipping firms to resume trading with Swatow forthwith. The British destroyer Scout entered Swatow harbour in spite of the Japanese naval instructions. The Daily Telegraph's Hongkong correspondent states that Britain and America answered the Japanese demands for the withdrawal from Swatow by each despatching another warship to the harbour. The American destroyer Pope raced from Amoy and joined the Scout.

Ten thousand Chinese, refugees returned to Swatow yesterday, each carrying a Japanese flag. A message from Washington Bays the State Department is. apprehensive of the hastening of a "showdown" with Japan, but is inclined to consider the Swatow incident closed, except, as it fits into the general picture of the status of foreign rights in China. It is learned that Admiral Yarnell, America naval Commander-in-Chief, who refused to withdraw from Swatow, acted with the Administration's full approval.