JAPANESE EXCUSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20007, 4 August 1939, Page 11

JAPANESE EXCUSE

FAILURE TO TAKE ACTION HOSTILITY TO BRITAIN NOISE NOT DANGER CLAIM TO NAVAL POWER (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.l (Reed. Aug. 3, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 2. The Tokio 'correspondent of The Times says that officials excuse the Japanese Government inactivity on the ground that the anti-British movement in Tokio, though noisy, is not dangerous. The Mayor of Pekin is reported in Tokio to have rejected the British protest against the demonstrations, declaring that they are inevitable, tout that public feeling will be moderated it Britain, reconsiders the position in the Far East. “The anti-British picket corps in Pekin is resorting to direct intimidation of Chinese employed by Britons. The bulk of the Chinese are friendly, but the activities of agitators, supported by the military, may result in. serious incidents. The British authorities are again, protesting. Modified in Tientsin Tientsin reports that the anti-British movement there has somewhat moderated. A Shanghai message states that the Bishop of Shantung and two other members of bis mission have been warned to leave Taian within 24 hours. The ■ Chinese are preparing for a general offensive on all fronts. Though foreign circles are sceptical, Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek is most optimistic. The Japanese Navy was convinced that it was strong enough not to be defeated by any navy in the world, declared the Japanese naval spokesman at Shanghai. Asked if this applied only in the West Pacific, the spokesman said that the navy was always ready to carry out its duty. If it had to face a combination of navies it 'was full of confidence to deal with the situation.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, said that no decision had been reached regarding the handing over of the four Chinese in Tientsin.