SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 6

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE

CONTROL IN SHANGHAI AMERICA AND JAPAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SHANGHAI, August 15 At a meeting which lasted for four hours the defence commanders settled the question of the future control of the sectors of the International Settlement. Details have so far not been officially revealed, but it is authoritatively stated that the United States gained control of the central section, including the waterfront and the Bund, while the Japanese got the western districts. Thus it seems that the United States has saved a last wedge for the “open door” policy, upon the maintenance of which Washington insisted. It is reported that the Japanese opened the meeting by demanding all the British sectors, upon which the American representative, Colonel W. R. Peck, advanced a counter-pro-posal. After a long and heated argument the British representative, BrigadeMajor B. Ashmore, suggested a compromise, to which both parties agreed. It is understood the Japanese gained the west Hongkew sector—* the only British sector north of Soochow Creek. Admiral Hart, of the United States Navy, decided not to attend the conference. He designated Colonel Peck, of the United States Embassy, to act for him. Two Japanese bombers twice flew over Admiral Hart’s yacht Isabel as the conference started.