STRIPPED AGAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 7

STRIPPED AGAIN

BRITISH BUSINESS MAN AT TIENTSIN JAPANESE BLOCKADE TACTICS. BRITISH REFUSAL TO HAND OVER BOATMAN. I By Telegraph—P -s Association—Cony right. LONDON. July 11. Japanese again stripped Mr Ivor House, a British importer, before allowing him to enter the British concession, states a message from Tientsin. This is the fourth occasion on which Mr House has been compelled to disrobe. The British police refused a Japanese demand to hand over a Chinese boatman who was ferrying passengers to .the concession from the Japanese area. CURRENCY & TRADE QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 11. The Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir John Simon, was asked in the House of Commons today if, in view of the determined attack on the Chinese dollar by the Japanese, any further action was contemplated by Britain toward maintaining the stability of Chinese currency. Sir John Simon replied: “No further action of the kind referred to is under discussion at the present time.” Mr Geoffrey Mander (Labour) inquired if, in view of the fact that the Japanese by their action at Tientsin had unilaterally violated the commercial treaties with Britain, the President of the Board of Trade would consider legislation making obligatory the marking of the place of origin on Japanese goods. Mr Stanley Oliver replied: “I would remind the hon member that it is hoped to settle the dispute in Tientsin by negotiation.”

TOKIO CONFERENCE ON TIENTSIN BLOCKADE. FIRST MEETING SET DOWN FOR SATURDAY. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 12. It is announced that the first meeting of the British-Japanese conference regarding Tientsin will be on Saturday. JAPANESE DISCLAIMER ANTI-BRITISH CAMPAIGN. MORE VIOLENCE IN SHANGHAI. LONDON, July 12.. The Foreign Office spokesman in Tokio dissociated his Government . from the anti - B ritish campaign throughout Japan, the latest manifestation of which is the appearance of anti-British posters in the streets of Tokio. He described as insulting a question as to whether it could be assumed that the Japanese were fomenting the antiBritish campaign in China. In Shanghai plainclothes Japanese police led a Chinese mob, who threw stones and fireworks through the windows of the British Consulate and also the windows of two British banks and five British firms. The Japanese soldiers and Chinese police did not attempt to keep order. The buldings were plastered with posters urging the Chinese to oust the British. ATTACK IMPENDING BRITONS ADVISED TO LEAVE FUKIEN. SHANGHAI, July 12. The Japanese today advised foreign nationals and shipping to evacuate Chuanchow, Tungshan and Choohsien, towns in Fukien Province, against which military operations are intended. H.M.S. Lowestoft is proceeding to Tsingtao in order to protect British subjects from violent attacks arid to guard British property. More warships may be sent from Weihaiwei.

BRITISH REPLY REDISPOSITION OF WARSHIPS, WARNING TO JAPANESE.

(Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 12. Naval activity and a redisposition of warships is Britain’s initial reply to the growing fury of anti-British demonstrations. The British Consulate at Tsingtao, around which a naval guard is stationed, asked the Japanese for protection and warned them that they would be responsible for any damage. H.M.S. Diamond is going to Tsingtao instead of H.M.S. Lowestoft, which has been diverted to an unknown destination. H.M.S. Sandwich is hastening to Tientsin and H.M.S. Falmouth is proceeding to Wei Hai Wei.

NEW THREAT TO RIGHTS OF THIRD POWERS. WARNINGS TO EVACUATE PORTS. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) TOKIO, July 12. A new Japanese threat to the rights of third Powers, endangering the lives and property of nationals, has arisen as the result of a warning to evacuate Chuanchow, Tungshan and Choohsien. A Foreign Office spokesman said these ports are being closed, by means of booms, at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday. before which time third Powers’ warships and merchantsmen are requested to leave.