TIENTSIN BLOCKADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1939, Page 8

TIENTSIN BLOCKADE

BRITAIN CONSIDERING POSITION LORD HALIFAX AWAITING REPORT. THE DISORDERS IN POOTUNG. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, June 14. “The question of what measures will be appropriate regarding the Tientsin blockade is under examination and must depend in .some degree upon the nature of the action taken by the Japanese.”—Tn so informing the House of Commons, Mr R. A. Butler, Parliamentary I 'nder-S.ecret-ary for Foreign Affairs, emphasised that Britain was in close touch with France and •, America and mentioned that Lord Halifax was expecting a report, from the British auth- . orities in China on the actual situation, which he would impart to the House at the earliest opportunity. Mr Butler also stated lhat as a result of anti-British agitation, a number of strikes bad recently occurred in British-owned factories situated in the neighbourhood of Shanghai, but outside the International Settlement. The agitation appeared to be directed by the Japanese-sponsored Chinese administration in Pootung and there was reason to believe that certain Japanese elements were actively connected with it. Representations had been made by the Consul-General in Shanghai and the Ambassador in Tokio, requesting that early steps be taken to put an end to these activities.

MR TINKLER’S FATE BEATEN BRUTALLY WHEN HELPLESS. TESTIMONY AT INQUEST. (Received This Day. 9.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI, June 14. A witness named William Rankin revealed at the inquest on Mr R. M. Tinkler, who died of wounds received at Pootung, that Japanese marines brutally beat Mr Tinkler with bayonets and rifles while he was lying on the ground disarmed. Rankin added that he saw Tinkler fire a shot into the ground and a Japanese attacked him, after which a marine approached him from«behind and knocked the pistol from his hand.

HANDS-OFF POLICY ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING INVOLVED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Dav, 12.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON. June 14. The State Department indicated that the United States maintains a handsoff policy in the difficulties between Britain and Japan, although the Government is concerned at the possibility of America becoming involved in the Tientsin incident, since four hundred American civilians and 233 Marines are located there.

NO MEDIATION PROPOSAL MR CORDELL HULL’S DENIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 12.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 14. Mr Cordell Hull denied that any suggestion had been received for American mediation or for the Tientsin Con-sul-General, Mr Caldwell, to serve on a commission to adjust the controversy. Mr Hull also denied that, Britain had made any approach to Washington. He said: “Mr Caldwell is doing what he can in the blockade situation and the American Embassy in Tokio is in touch with the Japanese Foreign Office.” Mr Hull declined to reveal what representations had been made.