JAPAN ACCUSED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19821, 24 December 1938, Page 7

JAPAN ACCUSED

FOSTERING DRUG TRADE REAPING HUGE PROFITS GHASTLY CRIME IN CHINA OPENING OF DENS (Klec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Rec. Dec. 23, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. During to-day's debate in the House of Commons concerning the traffic in 'drugs, the Foreign UnderSecretary. Mr. R. A. Butler, said that there was no evidence of an increase in China's traffic as the outcome of a deliberate Japanese plan, nor that Japan had aimed at the systematic demoralisation of the Chinese people, but the situation was becoming worse as the Japanese occupation nullified ihe Chinese Government's anti-druug legislation.

Lieutenant-Commander R. T. H. Fiecher (Lab. Nureaton), who raised the question earlier, said Japan w:is fostering drugs throughout the world and was reaping enormous profits in China, making the pestilence pay for war. It was a ghastly crime against international decency, thus to drench another country with vice. He said that the Pekin provisional Government had repealed 30 antidrug ordinances and permitted the opening of 300 dens.

THREAT. BY CHIANG

MASS EXECUTIONS

LEADERS OF (JAY LIFE (Reed. Dec. 23, 3 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Dec. 22. Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek lias threatened the mass execution «f officials leading a gay .Ui'c behind the lines. . He declared it was an unforgivcable crime for official,* to live festively while the soldiers were suffering privations. If the wives of officials and officers were found dancing the husbands would be held personally responsible. Ministers likewise would be held responsible for the conduct of their departmental officials. , A proclamation forbids gambling, elaborate dress designs and sing-song houses.