ATTACK ON BRITISH OFFICERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20931, 10 January 1938, Page 7

ATTACK ON BRITISH OFFICERS

MORE JAPANESE OUTRAGES

UGLY SITUATION IN SHANGHAI

OUTSPOKEN NEWSPAPER CRITICISM i United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, January 7. The Japanese last night maltreated two Britishers, Inspector West and Sergeant Turner. The latter was watching the Japanese searching a Chinese hawker and remarked to a Japanese fellow officer of the International Police that the troops seemed unnecessarily rough. The Japanese then punched him on the nose, saying: ‘•That is none of your damned business."

The Japanese troops then entered the British Defence Sector, dragged Turner back and struck him with their fists. Inspector West on arriving demanded Turner’s release. He was also beaten before he was released. The British Commander-in-Chief has called on Major-General Harada, Commander of the Japanese forces in Shanghai, and protested in the strongest terms against this Japanese violation of the British Defence Sector and the ill-treatment of Sergeant Turner. He warned Major-General Harada that any repetition of such an offence might lead to. the gravest possible consequences. Japanese Version The Japanese allege that Sergeant Turner used abusive language, which Turned denies. American Denunciation Mr Franklin, the American chairman of the muncipality, registered a strong protest to the Japanese authorities. He points out that whether or not the Turner-West incident was due to a misunderstanding, even provocation, nothing can excuse what followed, and unless steps are taken to prevent a recurrence, confidence in the efficiency of the police will be Impaired. He asks to be informed what corrective steps the Japanese contemplate. RUSSIAN CLASH WITH JAPANESE UGLY SITUATION IN SETTLEMENT Inlted Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 6.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January 8. An ugly situation developed in the settlement when a Russian volunteer policeman prevented a Japanese soldier on the edge of the French Concession, from beating a Chinese woman who. against the regulations, had gone to the French side of the road to draw water. The Japanese knocked down the Russian, and tried to wrest his rifle from him. The Russian retained the rifle, and drew a revolver against the Japanese. Fifteen Japanese soldiers began to drag the Russian to the adjoining sector. Another Russian blew a police whistle, and two French armoured cars and a vanload of Russians took up" positions facing 100 Japanese with machine-guns. A heated half-hour's parley ended in an undisclosed agreement, the French and Japanese officers shaking hands.

STATUS OF MUNICIPALITY JAPANESE CLAIMS REPUDIATED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 8.

The Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press, reports that the Municipal Council is protesting to the Japanese regarding the violation of the foreign defence sectors. The British Consulate’s representations hitherto have been concerned only about attacks on British police, which the Council now supports. Japanese marines tore down two Union Jacks, and substituted Japanese flags on the British-owned New Asia Hotel, from which they removed the furniture. Foreign Office Statement The Foreign Office denies that there is any foundation for the report from Shanghai, alleging a vague legal basis for the authority of the Municipal Council. The Foreign Office is considering the report detailing the Japanese proposals concerning the Council. Diplomatic discussions with Washngton and Paris will follow. ARMED FORCES OUT OF HAND VIEWS OF BRITISH PRESS British Official Wireless (Received January 9, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, January 8. Discussing the general situation created by the Japanese military actioa at Shanghai, both “The Daily Mail” and “The Daily Telegraph” make the point that, in the words of “The Daily Mail” there seems to be little connection between the orders of Tokio and the acts of Japan’s armed forces, and this is echoed throughout the Press comment. The leader writers also direct their attention to the requests made on January 4, by the Japanese authorities to the Municipal Council of the International Settlement, for an Increase in the number of Japanese in the police force, and in both the higher administrative and general personnel in the Council’s employment.

A full report on these requests has been received by the British Government from the British Consul-General in Shanghai. In London, the British Consul-General’s report is under expert consideration, and it would be in conformity with the policy pursued since the beginning of the Far Eastern troubles, if the conclusion of such examination of the proposals, in rela-

tion to Shanghai land regulations, were followed by consultations with other interested powers. PROBLEM FOR BRITISH CABINET EMERGENCY MEETING LIKELY United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 8. The increasingly grave situation in the Far East, will be the first subject Mr Chamberlain, who is in charge of the Foreign Office, during Mr Anthony Eden’s holiday, will tackle when he goes to Downing Street from Chequers on Monday. It is expected that Mr Chamberlain will call an emergency meeting of Cabinet members who have already reti. ned to London.

Report Not Yet To Hand The diplomatic correspondent of “The Sunday Times” points out that the official report of the assault on the Settlement Police has not reached London, but the possibility of firmer action than merely demanding an indemnity and apology, will be examined, although it is difficult to see the alternative to such a course.

JAPANESE OUTBURST MODIFIED NO HOSTILITY TO FOREIGNERS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 6.30 p.m.) TOKIO, January 7. A Foreign Office spokesman, disclaiming Admiral Suetsugu’s interview as the views of a private intervidual before assuming a portfolio, declared that the Admiral’s comment in no wise indicated a policy of driving out the whites from Asia.

A report of taxation increase has depressed the stock markets. “The white yoke on Asia must go” was among the sensational statements attributed to the Japanese Minister of the Interior (Admiral Suetsugu), and quoted in the Paris press from the influential political review, “Kaizo,” which is published in Tokio. Admiral Suetsugu was alleged to have also said: “The mercantile interests of the whites must vanish. British aid to China must be stopped, even at the cost of war. I refuse to believe that the Americans will fight us if we attack Britain. 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.” CONCERN IN CANADA DEFENCE NEEDS IN PACIFIC United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 9, 6.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, January 7. Department of Defence officials draw attention to the declaration by General H. D. Ketchen, at Winnipeg, that “in the event of us becoming involved in war, British Columbia will become another Belgium.” They point out that the whole of the new Canadian policy is concentrated in the Pacific.