NEW AND SERIOUS CLASH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20928, 6 January 1938, Page 7

NEW AND SERIOUS CLASH

FOREIGN INTERESTS IN ORIENT VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM ISSUED “WHITE YOKE IN ASIA MUST GO” Un M Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 5, 11.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January 5. A new and serious clash between Japanese and foreign interests, is threatened as the outcome to the municipal authorities referring to London and Washington, the Japanese demands for virtual control of the international settlement. Meanwhile as the most pressing move in the apparent campaign for the domination of foreign settlement, the Japanese took over the operation of radio stations, and installed Japanese censors, who are prepared, at a moment’s notice, to control messages, including those to foreign countries. This means that foreign newspapers dispatches will be censored, according to Japanese liking. ATTACK ON FOREIGN INTERESTS VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM ISSUED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 5, 8.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January 5. The appointment of Japanese to the controlling positions in the Shanghai administration, and the Japanese control of the "anti-Japanese newspapers.’’ including those owned by foreigners and published in foreign languages, are among the requests to the Municipal Council. The proposals, it is stated, were put In the form of a virtual ultimatum, since in presenting them the delegates uttered a warning that the Japanese army might be compelled to take such steps as the occasion required to root out anti-Japanese elements.

JAPANESE CONTROL SOUGHT

SEQUEL TO BOMB-THROWING INCIDENTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, January 4. The Japanese military, naval and Foreign Office officials, owing to the grenade throwing incidents, called on the British and American high officials in the Shanghai Municipality and proposed that Japan should have a larger share in administration, Including an increase of Japanese members in the International Settlement police and the appointment of Japanese to important administrative posts. The Japanese also want the right to control areas north of the Soochow Creek without foreign interference. It was pointed out that if Japanese officials were placed at the head of all departments of the Municipality’s service in compliance with these requests, it would mean virtual control of the International Settlement. Mr Cornell Franklin, the American Chairman of the Municipality, has promised to study the proposals immediately.

STATUS OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

CREATED BY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER United press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 6, 1 a.tn.) SHANGHAI, January 5. The municipality comprises five British, two Americans, five Chinese and two Japanese. A prominent official says that unless the Government’s concerned declare the Japanese requests unacceptable, foreigners would resign owing to the position being untenable, as the Japanese would then control the Settlement. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says: "The municipality, in the general interests has been most anxious to meet the Japanese desires regarding law and order, and has done much to restrain the Chinese institutions in accordance with the Japanese wishes. The police have been unremitting in their efforts to prevent incidents, by searching suspects for arms, but the Council has authority only under charter, changes in which would require the approval of the Signatory Powers.

The Japanese have placed a guard on the Chinese Government’s radio station in order to prevent interference with the equipment. At present there will be no interference with the staff, which is under American Management, provided the security of the Japanese forces is unaffected. No censorship of foreign cables is contemplated, while press messages remain reasonably restrained. Damage to Settlement The Municipal Councils survey of the damage to the Settlement areas, estimates that 905 enterprises, mostly Chinese and employing 30,860 workers, w-re destroyed by fire, and out of 135.000 workers employed in the industries, before the hostilities, there is now occupation for not more than 40,000. Most of the remaining factories are able to operate at their former strength. “WHITE YOKE IN ASIA MUST GO’’ SENSATIONAL JAPANESE UTTERANCES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright PARIS, January 4. "The White Yoke in Asia must go,” Is among the sensational statements attributed to Admiral S. Suetsugu, the Japanese Minister of the Interior,

whose speech is quoted in the Paris Press from the influential political review "Kaizo,” published in Tokio. Admiral Suetsugu is alleged also to have said that mercantile interests of the Whites must vanish. British aid to China must be stopped even at the cost of war. “I refuse to believe the Americans will fight us if we attack Great Britain," he said. “The rapid realisation of liberation will naturally bring a general conflagration, but whatever precautions we take the result will be the same, namely, a general conflagration. Thus Fate wills It.’-

JAPANESE EYES ON SINGAPORE REGARDED AS OPEN CHALLENGE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, January 4. Japanese naval authorities are reported to be keenly watching the British manoeuvres in Singapore as such a concentration of force is likely to be construed as an open challenge. A strong element here regards a naval clash with Great Britain as coming sooner or later, and believe that with Italian aid, there is a considerable chance of Japan emerging successful. The moderates here naturally want to avert such a battle royal, but there is need of strong support by moderates, not only in England, but also in the Dominions, to reach a reciprocal and comprehensive political and econo-