MR. TINKLER’S DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 7

MR. TINKLER’S DEATH

UNJUSTIFIABLE BAYONETING JAPANESE DELAY OF SURGICAL AID Received June 21, 11.5 p.m SHANGHAI, June 20. The finding at the inquest on Mr. R. M. Tinkler, an employee in a British finishing mill, was that death was due to abdominal wounds inflicted by persons not subject to British jurisdiction and accelerated by failure to operate immediately. The coroner commented on the unnecessary and unjustifiable bayoneting and the failure of the Japanese surgeon to recognise the gravity of the wounds, also the refusal of the Japanese naval authorities to allow Britishers to give Mr. Tinkler attention.

Mr. R. M. Tinkler, an employee in a British finishing mill in Pootung, died from wounds suffered during a clash between mill strikers and Japanese. Japanese marines brutally beat

Mr. Tinkler with bayonets and rifles ’ while he was lying on disarmed. A Britisher named William Rankin said he saw Mr. Tinkler fire a shot into the ground and the Japanese attacked him after a marine had approached him from behind and knocked his pistol from his hand. Mr. Tinkler was a former member of the Shanghai Municipal Police, and had been ’employed in the Pootung mill for some years. Officials in Whitehall pointed out that undoubtedly as a result of deliberate instigation by Japanese there had been much labour agitation at the mill, causing employees Io riot. Finally, on May 20, an armed British naval guard was stationed at' the mill, but a few days later assurances were given by the Japanese that British lives and property which were imperilled by the fomented riots would be adequately protected. This led to the withdrawal of the guard. RELEASE FOR JAPAN IF BRITAIN RETALIATES FREEDOM FROM OBLIGATIONS! j Received June 20, 5.5 p.m. SHANGHAI, June 19. The Domei news agency reports that the Japanese authorities issued I the statement that if Britain retalii ates with economic action Japan will Ibe released from her obligation to ' protect and respect British property ' in China. SEIZURE OF CONSULATE A SOVIET PROTEST "E.\< I SE TO C REATE CONFLICT" MOSCOW, June 19. The Soviet has protested to Japan against the seizure of the Soviet Consulate at Tientsin last week by White Russians. The Izvestia declares that the Tientsin situation is only an excuse used by Japan to create conflict. PURCHASE OF HONGKONG JAPAN SAID TO BE MILLING. i Independent Cable Service.) TOKIO, June 19. The newspaper Kokumin Sliimbun says that the Nanking (puppet) Government is willing to purchase Hongkong from Britain. RADIO SERVICE SHANGHAI-ROME. TOKIO, June 19. • A direct, wireless service has been i inaugurated between Shanghai and i Rome. KERNEL OF DISPUTE FAVOURS TO CHINA SUSPECTED STRAINING OF BRITISH NEUTRALITY. Received June 20, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, June 19. ! The Tokio correspondent of The I Times states that the Foreign Office I informed the Press: j “If the British co-operate we can deal with any question together,” but it would not define co-operation nor restrict it io matters of peace and security. The kernel of the Japanese grievance, the correspondent states, is the belief that British neutrality is being strained in favour of China. An unfortunate aspect is the manner in which the issues are allowed to create a trial of strength as between British and Japanese prestige. Japan will almost certainly reject any American offer of intervention, but it would stimulate the desire for a direct settlement with Britain in order to avoid a rebuff to Washington. JAPANESE PROPAGANDA SUCCESS AT TIENTSIN CHINESE FEELING MOUNTING Received June 20, 5.5 p.m. TIENTSIN, June 19. | The Domei news agency asserts that iChinese feeling is rapidly mounting i against the British, whom they blame j for loss of employment. The French I attitude thus far is praised, but the | Japanese are sceptical about the fu- j 'lure on the ground that the French concession is harbouring pro-Chiang Kai-shek elements and permitting the use of illegal wireless. The Japanese commander of the blockading troops declared that there was no difference between here and the front line as far I as fighting Chiang Kai-shek was con-1 cerned. The Chief of Police, Mr. Dennis, re-.

veals that the Japanese sent a letter to the Chinese members of the Concession police threatening violence and death unless they resign. Restrictions have been imposed ion water consumption to avoid a I shortage. AMERICA CONCERNED TIENTSIN DEVELOPMENTS IN BROADER ASPECTS OBSERVED WITH SPECIAL INTEREST WASHINGTON, June 19. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, in a statement to the Press concerning Tientsin, said: — "The Government is not concerned in the original incident relating to the ■ requested delivery of four Chinese. It is concerned, however, with the nature and significance of subsequent dexelop- ' ments in their broader aspects, ; coupled with other past and present I acts and utterances in other parts of China. The Government is therefore observing, with special interest, developments as they occur from day to ; day.’’ This is interpreted to mean that the ’ United States will resist any Japanese , attempt to drive a wedge between ( British and American interests in the I Far East. 1 The United States Asiatic fleet has : I arrived in Chefoo (treaty port in the ' province of Shantung), on its summer , manoeuvres. Rear-Admiral Yarnell, commanding the United States Asiatic fleet, has left Peking for Tientsin, where he will in- I spect the garrison of the United Stales I marines. LANDED FORCIBLY GOODS AT WUHU APOIAXi? DEMANDED OF BRITAIN. Received June 20, 6.30 p.m. TOKIO, June 19. . j Japan has protested to the British i .; naval authorities against the action of H.M.S. Scarab in forcibly landing; goods at Wuhu, on the Yangtze- ■ Kiang. An apology is demanded. It ; is alleged that the crew of the Scarab ■ pointed machine-guns at Japanese | officers and men. The Domei news agency declares I jthat only the patience of the Japa- . nese soldiers prevented bloodshed. 1