TALKS BREAK DOWN

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 7

TALKS BREAK DOWN

JAPAN’S CLAIMS AT AMOY THREAT TO INCREASE ARMED FORCE VERITABLE ARMADA AT TREATY PORT (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 25, 11.40 p.m.) HONG KONG, May 25. The negotiations between the naval authorities about the international settlement of Kulangsu, near the Chinese treaty port of Amoy, suddenly reached a deadlock yesterday, the Japanese refusing point blank to withdraw any more marines and threatening to land an additional force of several hundreds, says the Independent Cable Service. A veritable armada has arrived at Amoy—five British, two American, three French and eight Japanese warships. Tlie Hong Kong correspondent of the British United Press reports that the British, American, French and Japanese negotiations have broken down on the question of Japanese representation on the Kulangsu municipality. The British’ Commander-in-Chief of the China Station (Admiral Sir Percy Noble) is obdurate in agreeing to discuss only the question of the landing parties. The Japanese claim that Kulangsu is completely blockaded. Traffic is permitted only to Amoy. A z Japanese cruiser is stationed midway between Kulangsu and the mainland and pickets are permitting only Japanese vessels to use Kulangsu.

The Japanese Consul-General at Kulangsu has sent a Note to the municipality asking for recognition of the Amoy Peace and Maintenance Commission, formed after the l Japanese occupation, as the legitimate local Chinese regime. The four demands already rejected are reiterated. / A Japanese Foreign Office spokesman said that because Japan is fighting China she is entitled to suppress anti-Japanese activities within international settlements by force if necessary. He asserted that the settlements were under Chinese sovereignty, although this was temporarily suspended by foreign administrations.

BRITISH PROTEST It is officially stated that Vice-Ad-miral Sir Percy Noble has lodged a very strong protest with the Japanese about the stopping of the liner Ranpura by a Japanese destroyer. An unconfirmed report says that the Japanese seized three sealed mail bags from the Ranpura belonging to the British military- - authorities at Hong Kong. It is believed that naval guards will be posted in all British ships in Far Eastern waters. The French liner Aramis, conspicuously displaying large Tricolours on her sides, was held up by a Japanese destroyer 17 miles north of Hong Kong. The Aramis, after being boarded and having her papers examined, Was allowed to proceed. The Shanghai correspondent of The Times says that foreign shipping circles connect the stoppage of British and French liners with the dispute at Kulangsu. It is believed to be an assertive gesture,, though the Hong Kong correspondent of The Times points out that a passenger aboard the Ranpura, the British liner held up, was Mr Morris' Cohen, who was formerly in Dr Sun Yat-sen’s bodyguard, and this may have attracted Japanese attention. „ The Japanese are enraged as a result of a British sentry forcibly halting and allegedly wounding with his bayonet Lieutenant-Commander Noji, commander of a naval party which was proceeding to a British-owned mill at Pootung, Shanghai. The Japanese newspapers publish a photograph of the sentry holding his bayonet point a foot from Lieutenant-Commander Noji s stomach. An interpreter was also scratched, for which it is intended to demand an apology and disciplinary action.