JAPANESE ULTIMATUM IGNORED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 9

JAPANESE ULTIMATUM IGNORED

Wirskips To Iteniiiin II Swatow firm STffl in minih nil tiiiiiin

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

(Received June 22, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. THE SWATOW correspondent of Reuter’s says that the Japanese naval authorities have ordered all foreign warships, including the British destroyer Thanet and the United States destroyer Pillsbury, to quit the harbour by 1 p.m. The vessels are standing by in the interests of 80 British and 40 American subjects in Swatow.

The British naval authorities at Hong Kong announce that the Thanet is remaining at Swatow in spite of the Japanese ultimatum. It is understood that the Pillsbury is also remaining. A later message despatched from Hong Kong on June 22 states that the British destroyer Scout is outside Swatow ready to join the Thanet if necessary. The British steamer Ying Chow is evacuating British women and children and other nationals totalling 200 who are desiring to leave, and is expected to sail this afternoon because serious fighting is expected in the city when the Chinese counter-attack, for which troops are moving up is launched. The Norwegian steamer Prominent is already proceeding to Hong Kong with 70 women and children on board. The Japanese ultimatum declared that the safety of foreigners cannot be guaranteed after 1 p.m. (local time).

It is understood that the machine-gun section of the First Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment has received emergency orders to be ready to leave at six hours’ notice either for Swatow or Tientsin.

The United States gunboat Asheville is reported to be going to Swatow from Hong Kong to-morrow. Rear-Admiral Yarnell, Commander of the American Asiatic Fleet, in refusing to withdraw the United States warship Pillsbury from Swatow, declared that the United States would hold Japan responsible for any damage to American lives and property resulting from military operations. Rear-Admiral Yarnell is reported to have told the Japanese naval authorities that the American Navy’s duty was to protect its nationals, which it intended to carry out.

Swatow Completely Occupied

It is announced in Tokio that the Japanese have completely occupied Swatow after a bombardment. The vanguard is now at Anpow, eight miles to the north.

The Japanese Consul at Hong Kong, according to an Independent Cable message, declared that Swatow had become an important centre for importing Chinese war material since the fall of Canton.

The Hong Kong correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” states that scarcely a shot was fired at Swatow. China has lost her last seaport. Suspicions of treachery are strengthened by the fact that instructions to dynamite and set fire to the city were not executed, although thirty thousand Chinese troops who were left to defend the port retreated to the hinterland six hours before the Japanese vanguard entered the city. However, the dykes of the Han River, fifteen miles above the city, were dynamited. The entire countryside is threatened with inundation. The Tokio correspondent of "The Times” states that the capture of Swatow is a vital blow to Chinese economic life, as it was the only remaining artery for the nourishment of the army. The Japanese naval spokesman at Tokio said that Japan’s main reason for occupying Swatow was to strengthen the blockade of the China Coast and increase the economic pressure against Marshal Chiang Kai-shek at Swatow which is the last remaining important munitions link for China. He denied that foreign warship and nationals had been given a time 'unit. “They were merely requested to leave," he added, "to allow the occupation without foreign complications.” It is declared that the Tientsin issue is the turning point in a rapid total withdrawal of British from the Far East. Britain should abandon Hong Kong, thereby demonstrating the relinquishment of her pro-Chiang Kai-shek attitude.

The Japanese commander issued a proclamation urging the Chinese people to seek the protection of the Japanese army and threatening severe reprisals against any offering resistance or communicating with the Chinese fomes.

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has issued a radio warning to all Chinese not to heed Japanese anti-British propaganda.

A Hankow message states that Mr W. Lewis reported to the British Consulate that Japanese beat a Chinese houseboy. They entered the house ostensibly in search for an illegal wireless sets which he did not possess A protest is expected. Ten thousand Chinese refugees returned to Swatow this morning each carrying a Japanese flag. The Japanese authorities at Amoy rejected a joint British. French and American protest against the blockade at Kulangsu. This may result in warships bringing in food,