FAR EAST FRICTION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 8

FAR EAST FRICTION

MAYOR ASSASSINATED AMERICA AND JAPAN DEFENCES IN PACIFIC (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 10 The Japanese-appointed Mayor of Shanghai, Fu Hsiao-en, was assassinated at Hongkew by a house servant, says a message from Shanghai. The Japanese Embassy said the assassin used a Chinese hatchet. The assassination of Fu Hsiaoen occurred while he was asleep in his homo in the Japanesecontrolled Hongkew section of the International Settlement. The servant who killed him escaped. It is reported that a member of the Japanese army was shot at Hongkew at approximately the same time. This was the fourth military assassination in a fortnight. Many parties are searching for the assassins.

The American Chamber of Commerce at Tientsin has sent a message to the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, appealing for aid against Japanese trade restrictions. It is alleged that there is discrimination against American business firms and that discourtesy has been shown to Americans dealing with Japanese Customs officials.

Japanese steamship lines are granting Japanese business firms special rates, making American competition impossible. The message strongly urged retaliatory action by placing Japanese trade in America on the same footing. “Outrageously Unfounded” The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Suma, characterised American press reports of an impending breach in relations between Japan and the United States as outrageously unfounded rumours. “I am very sorry to note the trend taken by American newspapers,” Mr Suma said. “The situation is very quiet here. We are not agitated; we do not think the American administration is agitated either. This is the time for responsible people on both sides of the Pacific to be calm and patient.”

United States correspondents in the Far East report to-day a slight lessening of tension. There appears to be less likelihood of an immediate evacuation of United States citizens in the Far East. Meanwhile, the United States is rushing through the measures announced last night for strengthening her Pacific defences. Twenty-four thousand men are to join the United States garrison at Hawaii. Reinforcements are being sent to the air base in Alaska. A message from Washington states that it is known that diplomatic representations are going on between Japan and Britain. AMERICAN MISSION STUDYING BRITISH DEFENCES REGIMENT FOR HAWAII (United Press Assn.—Elec. r rel. Copyrlg-lit) WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 An army mission composed of three men, is en route to London by Clipper to study the British air defences. The army is sending a California National Guard anti-aircraft regiment to Hawaii to strengthen the defences. BURMA ROAD BOMBING AMPLE LABOUR FOR REPAIR (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday Discussing Japan’s prospects of blocking the Burma Road by bombing, Sir Ernest Roberts, of Rangoon, Chief Justice of Burma, interviewed today, said there was an unlimited supply of coolie labour available to repair damage done. The road went through precipitous country and friends who knew the whole route had told him that in the rainy season it was subject to damage by slips and probably would then be impassable. Even up to 12 months ago, said Sir Ernest, Germany and Italy, while professing friendship to Japan, were cynically supplying war materials and machinery over the Burma Road to Japan’s enemy in China. Some of the goods sent to China over the road were landed at Rangoon, but most were taken up the Irrawaddi River to Mandalay. REVIEW IN JAPAN 100 SHIPS, 500 PLANES (United Prcs-s Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-lit) TOKIO. Oct. 10 The Emperor Hiro Hito attended the special Japanese naval review at Yokohama in celebration of the nation’s 2600th anniversary. More than 100 warships and 500 aeroplanes appeared in the review. WAR ITEMS During an air raid on London a bomb seriously damaged the car of Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, who was visiting a nearby building.

Mr 11. Morrison, in the House of Commons, said 11.000 German and Austrian civilians are still interned in the United Kingdom and 2200 have been transferred tu Australia.