MAY BE TAKEN BY BRITAIN AGAINST JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1939, Page 5

MAY BE TAKEN BY BRITAIN AGAINST JAPAN

As Reprisal for Tientsin Blockade

JAPANESE POLICY OF PROVOCATION

PROPOSED “PEACEFUL INVASION” OF CONCESSION

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, June 15.

The “Daily Mail’’ says it is understood that Cabinet has considered retaliating- with economic reprisals if the Tientsin blockade continues, and the Board of Trade already has been instructed to prepare a series of measures designed to hold up Japanese trade. It is suggested that in addition to penal duties on Japanese goods steps niay be taken to prevent Japanese ships from using British ports. . A Tientsin message states that tension has risen today following reports that 50,000 members of the Japanese colony in Tientsin and 2500 Japanese reservists are planning a “peaceful invasion” of the British Concession on June 11 to visit the graves of Japanese soldiers “who died to protect Tientsin and Peking” in the Boxer Rising in 1900. .Little doubt is felt, that the Japanese intend to provoke trouble, but apparently the British authorities have no power to prevent their entry unless there is actual disorder. The Shanghai correspondent of “The Tinies” says that the Japanese authorities in Tientsin rejected the British proposal for a committee of inquiry without referring it to Tokio. They informed the British authorities that, while they appieciated the spirit in which the proposal was made, it came too late for them to alter their plans at such short notice. They added that even if the four Chinese were handed over they now propose to continue the blockade till the British Government “changes its entire attitude.” The rejection is not regarded as final pending a reply from Tokio, as the Japanese Government has been seriously advised to consider the matter in the light of its' possible serious repercussions.