THE BLOCKADE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20832, 16 June 1939, Page 7

THE BLOCKADE

DECISION OF JAPAN CRITICISM OF BRITAIN NO PATCHED-UP TRUCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 16, 11 a.m.) TOKIO, June 15 At the conclusion of a cionferencc lasting three days the Japanese military and civil representatives decided to continue the blockade until Britain radically revises her pro-Chiang Kaishek and anti-Japanese policies, and to reject a “patched-up compromise.” 'LONDON, June 15 A despatch from the Tientsin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that 100 British troops and Chinese police have erected a barricade of sandbag's on the Machang Road, mounted light machine-guns, which are trained on the Japanese sentries in the nearby searching post. The Japanese have brought up four light tanks. A few yards separate the British and Japanese troops. Multi-coloured anti-British handbills have been distributed in the Japanesecontrolled areas bordering on the Concessions. THREAT BY JAPAN CAN MAKE BRITAIN SUFFER PROPOSALS FOR RETALIATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 16, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 15 Board of Trade experts have submitted to the Foreign ‘Office proposals for economic retaliation against Japan. The Government is unwilling to take drastic aclion until other methods are exhausted. The Tokio correspondent of the Times says that the Japanese press declares that in the event of economic reprisals Japan can effectively retaliate and cause Britain to suffer more than Japan. BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS PROTECTION OF INTERESTS REPRISAL MEASURES DISCUSSED • Untied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Juno 16, 11. 15 a.in.) LONDON, June 15 The High Commissioners conferred with Sir Thomas Jns kip, Secretary of State for the Dominions, at the Dominions Office regarding the action the Government is considering to protect British interests in Tientsin and North China. It is confirmed that the Board of Trade has been asked to report on what reprisal measures can be taken. Constant communication is being maintained between England, France, America and the Dominions. A statement on behalf of the Government will be made in the 'House of Commons this afternoon. COMMENT IN ITALY TOTALITARIAN COUNTER-MOVE OPPOSITION TO 'DEMOCRACIES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgtu) (Received June 16, 11 a.m.) ROME, June 15 The Popolo d'ltalia says Japan's strong attitude at Tientsin represents the totalitarian counter-offensive to the democratic coalition. * STRIPPED NAKED

INDIGNITIES TO BRITONS SEARCH BY THE JAPANESE DANGER OF FOOD SHORTAGE (United Tress Assn.—Elcc. Tel. Copyright) TIENTSIN, June 15 The Japanese sentries at the barricades have grown more provocative and are taking longer to search pedestrians. Britons especially are being subjected to indignities. Mr 11. McKenzie, manager of a piano company, was among many Britons who were stripped naked without gaining permission to enter the concession. Mr Ivor House, of Hampshire, was pushed out of a queue by a Japanese officer, who struck him with his sword scabbard. A Japanese smashed a Briton’s watch when he discovered it was set to Tientsin time instead of Tokio time. Frenchmen and Americans to-day were searched with the same thoroughness as Britisli and Chinese*; prominent foreign business men rubbing shoulders with coolies at the searching posts. The danger of a food shortage is increasing. Replenishment is most difficult and is likely to become impossible. The Japanese are officially permitting tin* entry of foodstuffs at the rate of one cartload every three hours, but the Chinese traders are most disinclined to handle them because of the risk of being regarded as anti-Japanese. No fresh milk was available in the British and French Concessions to-day. The blockade might result in a severe setback to the trade of Peking owing to the difficulties of passing cargoes through Tientsin, and shippers have been advised temporarily to cease operations on the Hai River.