SITUATION TENSE

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

SITUATION TENSE

Need for Immediate Action At Tientsin

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 22, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 21.

A cable message received by the United States Chamber of Commerce from the American Chamber of Commerce at Tientsin states that the siutation is tense and immediate action is necessary in order to avoid disastrous injury.

A second company of the Durham Light Infantry has reinforced the British garrison, states a Tientsin message. The military strength is now three hundred. All gates have been manner in readiness for trouble. The army lorry patrols have been increased. Lorries packed with steelhelmeted soldiers are moving ceaselessly throughout the concession. The food problem has not improved. The most meagre supply of vegetables is trickling in. The Japanese continue the partial disrobing and searching of Britons. The protracted drought and sweltering heat has caused a water shortage.

The United States Consul in Tientsin has protested to the Japanese Consul against alleged interference with United States citizens’ property. The municipal and private markets were without me"t on Thursday morning and vegetable stocks are very low at Canton.

According to a message from Canberra the Common’”ealth Government has received information from the Australian Trade Commissioner in Shanghai that three vessels are slowly discharging cargoes of '.ustralian flour for to the British and French Concessions in Tientsin. The British Consul-General <Mr Jamieson) received a personal message of encouragement from Lord Halifax. The British military authorities report that army lorries are ready to bring in f ood.

The Japanese-controlled Chinese Press splashes front pages with demands that Britain surrender the concession.

Japanese Terms re Revealed The Japanese Consular spokesman stated that Japan’s concrete terms for the cessation of the blockade would not be revealed until the British indicate the basis of settlement. In the meantime the military authorities will i. aintain pressure against the concession. Protests against the unreasonable stopping and stripping of persons entering the Tientsin concession have been received by Japanese shipping

interests in Colombo, Durban and Capetown. They point out that such treatment is causing exasperation among foreigners who are beginning to exert economic persecution. The Russian Consul-- ieral at Tientsin protested against interference with the Russian, British and French concession barricades.