JAPAN OCCUPIES FOREIGN AREAS

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

JAPAN OCCUPIES FOREIGN AREAS

INCIDENT AT TREATY PORT OF AMOY REPETITION OF ACTION FEARED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 13, 6.30 p.m.) HONG KONG, May 12. A tense situation was created when Japanese marines entered the international settlement at the treaty port of Amoy after the shooting of the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, who was a pro-Japanese. The international settlement at Amoy has almost identical status with that at Shanghai; all countries, including the United States, are represented in the settlement’s government. The locality of the Japanese bluejackets’ landing was Kulangsu, half a mile from Amoy. It is understood that the occupation will continue until the settlement authorities control antiJapanese activities. Foreigners fear that the landing is a prelude to action against other concessions. A British destroyer is at present at Amoy, but there are no foreign troops. The nearest American warship is at Swatow, 100 miles to the south. The Japanese allege that the shooting occurred while the commander-in-chief of the Japanese fleet, accompanied by staff officers, was inspecting the settlement. Marines were landed “to protect the commander-in-chief and search for those responsible.” At Shanghai a Japanese spokesman told a Press conference that it might be necessary for similar action at the Shanghai settlement in the event of a similar incident.

Mr Hung Li-shan, the pro-Japanese victim of the shooting, died within a few hours.

Japanese marines arrested 100 persons in a house-to-house search .