CHANGE IN TONE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1940, Page 5

CHANGE IN TONE

JAPANESE PRESS CALMER OVER ARRESTS BUT DEMANDS STILL MADE. FOR BRITISH RECONSIDERATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) TOKIO, August 6. The tone of the Press has overnight changed to a calmer treatment of the London arrests, generally asserting that the Foreign Office could afford to watch the situation calmly and coolly and give Britain time to reflect, though it was “ready to take a second step in the event of Britain failing to reconsider her illegal actions.” It is insisted that Japan will reject a compromise settlement. Yesterday the Domei news agency in Shanghai stated that the Japanese Foreign Office had drafted drastic measures to be taken in the event of a further deterioration in the relations between Britain and Japan. The Japanese Press Service reports, a London message states, that the note left by Reuters’ Representative in the Far East, Mr Melville Cox, before his death has been inspected by a member of the British Embassy in Tokio, the British Consul, and the acting-general manager of Reuters' in the Far East. The Japanese Press Service says it was reported that the note had been written by Mr Cox. In London it is pointed out that the Embassy in Tokio has at no time expressed an opinion about the authenticity or otherwise of Mr Cox’s letter. BOMB IN SHANGHAI SHANGHAI, August 5. The French police discovered a bomb inside a police pillbox outside the “Shanghai Evening Post" building. BASIC ISSUES FUNDAMENTAL SITUATION DESIRED. (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) TOKIO, August 6. The “Nichi Nichi” said Cabinet had decided against settlement of the alleged British retaliatory arrests as “individual and unimportant cases," but would seek a fundamental solution of the "entire situation which caused the cases" as well as push for a solution of basic Anglo-Japanese issues.

SALVATION ARMY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ARRESTED. BY JAPANESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) TOKIO, August 6. Army officials announced that they had arrested seven executives of the Japanese Salvation Army, on suspicion of espionage. ■ Later it was announced in Tokio that gendarmes had arrested Commander Colonel Masuzo Urmuta, Chief Secretary. of the Yasoo Senawa and five others, who at present are being questioned. . An Army spokesman issued a statement, declaring: “We must take drastic action against organisations, which, under the cloak of religion, become the tools of spies, as well as for propagating foreign anti-Japanese thoughts, detrimental to the general public’s thoughts and livelihood." PROTEST RALLY DECIDED ON IN TOKIO. MARCH ON BRITISH EMBASSY EXPECTED. TOKIO, August 6. A parade of 100.000 persons to the British Embassy is expected next Monday as a result of a decision by the Anti-British People’s Federation to hold a national rally of protest against the alleged British retaliatory arrests. The federation has invited representatives of 120 cities to the parade. At the same time it sent a resolution to the Departments of War, Navy, and Foreign Affairs demanding measures to release the arrested Japanese and a strong policy toward Britain, and also forwarded a resolution to the British Embassy demanding the release of the arrested and the withdrawal of the British from the Orient. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, is reported to have gained an understanding from Cabinet that the Government will calmly and firmly watch the British attitude regarding the arrests for the present. HOPE OF UNDERSTANDING EXPRESSED BY JAPANESE SPOKESMAN. (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, August G. A Japanese spokesman said: “We believe there is every indication that relationships between Japan and Britain will continue to improve. We are confident that what little incidents and misunderstandings there have been can be settled quickly to the mutual satisfaction of Britain and Japan.