CHINESE CUSTOMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 9

CHINESE CUSTOMS

JAPANESE SEIZE CONTROL SHANGHAI AND TIENTSIN OTHER SERVICES TAKEN OVER PROTEST FROM POWERS (United Press Associa'lon) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. Nov. 28. It is emphasised that the three Powers, England, France, and America, have protested to Japan against the seizure of the Chinese Customs at Shanghai and Tientsin. The British Government is also insisting that Japan shall not challenge the validity of the land regulations on which the authority of the Shanghai Municipal Council rests. It is learned from Shanghai that the Japanese have not only taken over the Chinese Post Office and wireless broadcasting services, but have installed censors, while Customs are virtually placed under Japanese control. The Chinese Customs normally yield about £21,000,000. The Japanese are now insisting that the Customs revenue be paid into the Japanese Bank, which will make the necessary deductions for the service of foreign loans. British women visited their homes in the British defence area for the first time for more than a month, with the permission of the Japanese. They were given half an hour to remove small effects.

THE FRENCH ATTITUDE • LONDON, Nov. 29. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of The Times says: "It is understood that the French Government, without sending an individual Note, instructed its Ambassador .n Tokio to inform Japan that France associates herself with the British Note demanding consultation with regard to the future of Chinese Customs at Shanghai. The French preoccupation, like the British, is to initiate fruitful co-operation by Germany and Italy, regardless of differences in regime, but it is emphasised that attempts to dissociate Britain and • France are doomed to failure. Moreover, there is no question of either country giving up existing friendships or the League obligations. The common task, it is held, is to explore all possibilties of collaboration between the two groups of Powers without either sacrificing to the other its essential principles and vital interests. It follows, therefore, that any readiness on the part of the West to make concessions must be accompanied by willingness of other Powers to abate the economic barriers behind which they are entrenching themselves."

ASSURANCE FROM TOKIO SHANGHAI, Nov. 29. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) The Japanese Embassy issued an assurance that Tokio would give "due consideration" to Powers interests in Chinese Customs revenue. " After delivery of the AngloAmerican Notes the Foreign Office Spokesman said: "I would emphasise that Japan does not intend to disturb the present status of the Shanghai Customs, and will respect the interests of other Powers entitled to certain amounts on account of loans." He added that he was unable to reveal the contents of the Notes, but he said there were no protests on the part of the Nanking Government. " Japan must control the Customs, because it would be intolerable for China to apply the proceeds to purchasing munitions and foodstuffs. Negotiations with the local Chinese Customs officials are progressing smoothly, and it is' most likely that Britain will be consulted about the ultimate arrangement. I am certain that control will end when hostilitiGS CC3SG." The Spokesman revealed that for the first time the Manchukuo Customs quotas due to the Powers on account of loans were deposited in the Central Bank in Manchukuo and would be available after simple negotiations. This procedure will probably be adopted at Shanghai. The Spokesman said that, although foreign rights were being preserved, Japan considered it is unnecessary to consult Britain and America with regard to proiected actions in Shanghai, which were wholly matters of military strategy. Japan does not intend to interfere with the administrative functions of the Municipal Council. Anything done was purely provisional and a matter of military expediency All Customs revenues in Tientsin were being paid to the Yokohama Special Bank, which was servicing foreign but not domestic loans.

THE PREMIER OF JAPAN A POLICY DECLARATION LONDON, Nov. 29. (Received Nov. 29, at 10 p.m.) The Tokio correspondent of The Times says: "En route to Western Japan to worship at the national shrines, the Premier, Prince Konoye. made a policy declaration to the press in which he stated that Japan would not object to neutral Powers offering to arrange direct negotiations with Japan and China, but would not tolerate third party negotiations. Japan will negotiate with General Chiang Kai-Shek or the Kuomintans if Nanking co-op erates, otherwise the war will be continued until the Chinese are crushed." AMERICA'S PL-ACE EFFORTS NEW YORK, Nov 28 The Washington correspondent of the New York Times reports that President Roosevelt, at a press conference, reiterated the United States' intention to continue the efforts towards peace and the facilitation of the cessation of the Chin-ese-Japanese conflict if and when circumstances are propitious, but no immediate move is contemplated upon the conclusion of the Brussels Conference, and in any event this would only be in conjunction with other Powers. CHINESE GENERAL SURRENDERS LONDON, Nov. 28. The Tokio correspondent of The Times says the Chinese general commanding 6000 riflemen and 6000 speaimien surrendered unconditionally at Weihsen.

JAPANESE BOMBING RAIDS NANKING, Nov 28 Japanese war nlanes twice raided Chrnkianc on November 27. and dropoori 130 bombs, causing heavy ca^'iPlHes "VICTORY MARCH" PLANNED SHANGHAI. Nov. 29. (Received Nov. 29. at 11.55 p.m.) It is understood that a "victory march" by the Japanese troops through the International Settlement is being planned for to-morrow.