“SHOWDOWN MAY COME SOON”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21378, 22 June 1939, Page 9

“SHOWDOWN MAY COME SOON”

American Note Io Tokio'

Japan’s Attempted Domination

In Till' tat

RIGID CONTROL AT TIENTSIN

Halted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 21, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 21. THE WASHINGTON correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that United States diplomatic action to-day is taken to mean that the United States is not being won over by Japan’s meticulous care to differentiate between British and Americans in Tientsin by subjecting the British to many indignities and permitting the Americans every possible privilege. Failing Japanese permission to publish the bombing correspondence the United States may, nevertheless, publish its own two notes regarding the matter, America’s second missive being a rejoinder to Japan s contention that if American properties were damaged it was an unfortunate result of a legitimate attack, on military objectives. Mr Cordell Hull’s confirmation that the United States had made further representations to Tokio over the continued aerial bombings of American property in China and had requested Japanese permission to publish the full correspondence on the bombing question between the United States and Japan, has concentrated attention on the possible meaning of this development. Officials considered that the correspondence was an important step at this time when developments in the Far East indicate that a showdown may come soon between Japan and the Western Powers over Japan’s attempt to exercise military, political and economic hegemony on the Asiatic mainland.

PRESSURE TO BE CONTINUED

FURTHER EFFORTS TO PREVENT SUPPLIES

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 22, 12.55 a.m.. TOKIO, June 21.

The Domei News Agency states that a conference of the highest military and diplomatic officials at Tientsin decided to continue the pressure on Britain until she ends her support for Marshal Chiang Kai Bhek.

The Foreign Office spokesman denied that British subjects at Tientsin had been stripped and subjected to personal Indignities. Sir Robert Craigie was informed that there was no discrimination between one nationality and another. The army was only carying out the duties imposed by military necessity and was not even hampering the arrival of food supplies. Reports ' from Tientsin, however, indicate further efforts to cut oft the supplies of vegetables trickling into the Concession.

According to a message from Paris France is prepared to follow Britain in any form of protest or retaliatory measures.

Madame Tabouis states that Herr Hitler informed the German Ambassador at Tokio that he would not tolerate a victory by the democracies over Japan. An anti-Brltlsh mass meeting is to be held at Peking on June 23. Japanese reservists ar° attending.

"British Ambassador Begs for Mercy’’ is the headline under which the "Yomiuri Shimbun” reports on Sir Robert Craigle’s visit yesterday to Mr Arita < Foreign Minister) at which it is understood the Ambassador requested the moderation of the drastic searches of British subjects at Japanese barriers at Tientsin and also the relaxation of the foe 1 restrictions Mr Arita, according to the newspaper, rejected all of Sir Robert Craigle’s demands, declaring that the I present measures were » absolutely necessary and warning nim that Britain must revise her attitude towr-d Japan. Two Br •' ships left Shanghai f Tientsin to-day with large cargoes ol foodstuffs, including wheat, flour vegetables and fruit. Forces Ordered to Stand By The British volunteer forces in Tientsin have been ordered to stand by for immediate mobilisation. It Is reported that the Japanese have not carried out their threat to electrify the wire barricades round the British and French concessions. The blockade, however, is being strengthened, and despite the intense heat the Japanese soldiers are not relaxing their rigid control over traffic and pedestrians. The escort vessel Sandwich has arrived and the escort vessel Lowestoft has cancelled her departure. The food shortage is acute, despite the admission of a lorryful of vegetables. One hundred and twenty British women and children are being evacuated to Tangku on a British gunboat. Japanese at the barrier stripped and prodded five British youths.

The Tokio correspondent of “The Tunes” states that vernacular dispatches from Tientsin state that the Japanese Consul-General rejected the British Consul-General’s request for equal treatment for British and other foreign residents and a relaxation of the food restrictions.

A later message states that the British Municipal Council appealed to all Britons not otherwise engaged in public duties to join the Auxiliary Emergency Corps, an unarmed and plain clothes unit except for armbands. The authorities are doing their utmost to evacuate all the women. The Japanese have not stopped a single foreign ship from entering or leaving Tientsin all day. The commander of the British garrison troops at Tientsin has requested an interview with the commander of Japanese and was told that it was no use if he merely wished to discuss questions raised by the British Consul. JAPANESE OFFENSIVE AT SWATOW PLANS TO ENCIRCLE CITY A United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Receiver June 22, 12.45 a.m.) HONG KONG, June 21. The Japanese landed at three points in the vicinity of Swatow. The British destroyer Thanet and the United States destroyer Pillsbury are standing by in the interests of 80 British and 40 American subjects in Swatow. The first landing party consisted of 350 troops and a major landing followed with methouicl disembarkation of the infantry and artillery. Another column landed north of Swatow apparently intending to encirc.e the city. They are cutting the railway inland. The Japanese Consul at Hong Kong states that the landing is necessary as munitions are carried via Swatow. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman stated that every effort would be made to respect the rights of third Powers at Swatow and also prevent damage to the city. He hoped that the third Powers would understand Japan’s real intentions ana co-operate, thus preventing any incidents. The British United Press correspondent at Hongkong reports that the Japanese stopped and turned back three British ships found or Swatow. The Japanese are forcing their way inland in spite of strong opposition. Foreign shipping has been warned off by the Japanese navy. It i> officially announced that Japanese warships entered Swatow harbour at 8.30 a.m. The Japanese Foreign Office referring to Swatow states that the landing of the army and navy is merely an extension of purely military action for the purpose destroying bases and Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek’s resistance. The Japanese policy of respecting the rights and interests of third Powers has remained unchanged. British naval officials at Shanghai have protested against the unwarranted interference by Japanese troops while H.M.S. Scarab was legally attempting to land naval stores. It was denied that British sailors pointed machine-guns at the Japanese.

The Japanese protest made yesterday, was never received, it was stated. Bombardment Opens An Imperial Headquarters communique from Tokio states that the crack units of the military and naval f< '’i*es are in close co-operation and are sweeping all before them. Transports ar now proceeding up the river and mechanised units are landing. Japan ese warships are within two miles of Swatow. An Admiralty Communique states that the naval forces from the South China Fleet, Admiral KondoW commanding, have occupied all the islands dominating Swatow and Hong Kong. Several fires have started in Swatow where warships are bombarding the Chinese positions. Six warships are in the harbour and three destroyers up the river to prevent the Chinese from reaching the Han river dykes. Foreigners are believ-d to be safe, but the Chinese suffered severely. Japan Needs Money According to an independent cable message from London the “Evening Standard” in its regular “diary” feature states that Japan's gold reserves, which a year ago were £750,000,000. are now £25,000,000. It is freely stated in Tokio business circles that the Chinese war cannot be maintained for six months unless new money is obtained. Hence the pressure on Britain at Tientsin, on the grounds that the liquidation of American and European interests in China, which may thus be provoked, will provide the much-needed cash.