ARROGANT ACT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1939, Page 6

ARROGANT ACT

BRITISH LINER HELD UP BY JAPANESE ON APPROACH TO HONG KONG. PROMPT RESCUE BY DESTROYER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 24. Messages from Hong Kong state that a Japanese destroyer held up without reason the P. and O. Company’s liner Ranpura (16,000 tons) 50 miles from Hong Kong yesterday. The Ranpura’s passengers state that the Japanese destroyer fired twice across the Ranpura’s bows from half a mile away, then signalled her to heave to, but the liner proceeded at full speed in an attempt to gain British waters a mile away. The destroyer gave chase and the liner halted. Three Japanese officers boarded the Ranpura and examined her papers, despite the captain’s protest.

The captain then sent a radio message for help. This was answered by the British destroyer Duchess, which was exercising in the vicinity and secured the release of the Ranpura after a hold-up of 30 minutes. Meanwhile the Hong Kong correspondent of the “Daily Herald” says that the Japanese authorities •in Shanghai have issued an ultimatum to foreign shipping that, owing to military necessities, any vessel on the China coast is liable to seizure unless carrying a Japanese naval permit. This has amazed Hong Kong, shipping circles, which refuse to believe that Japan dare carry out such a blockade.

The Ranpura’s passengers included Rear-Admiral Murray, who was going to Hong Kong to take command of the Sixth Cruiser Squadron. He stated that a guard of marines went aboard the Ranpura with officers from the Japanese destroyer, (which whs flying an Admiral’s flag.