JAPANESE SAVAGERY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1939, Page 5

JAPANESE SAVAGERY

FOOD PEDLARS DONE TO DEATH FOR DELIVERING VEGETABLES IN TIENTSIN. DEATH THREATS AGAINST CONCESSION POLICE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. TIENTSIN, June 19. The Central Chinese News Agency reports that seven of 18 pedlars caught delivering vegetables to the British concession were forced to kneel in the roadway with petrol tins over their heads and were literally scorched to death by the midday sun, after which they wore cremated. Because of continued insults from pickets, the Tientsin British ConsulGeneral, Mr Jamieson, has warned British subjects not to attempt to pass the barricades unless it is vitally necessary. The Domei (Japanese) News Agency asserts that Chinese feeling is rapidly mounting against the British, whom they blame for their loss of employment. The French attitude so far is praised, but the Japanese are sceptical about the future on the ground that the French concession is harbouring pro-Chiang Kai-shek elements who are permitting the use of an illegal wireless. The Japanese commander of the blockading troops declared that there was no difference (between here and the front line as far as fighting General Kai-shek was concerned. Chinese and Japanese held an antiBvitish rally in the Japanese concession. The British Chief of Police, Mr Dennis, reveals that the Japanese sent a letter to Chinese members of the concession’s police threatening violence and death unless they resign. FOOD BROUGHT IN SHIPMENTS FROM SHANGHAI. JAPANESE CONSUL REJECTS DEMANDS. LONDON, June 19. A message received from Tientsin last night stated that the spirits of the besieged have risen as a result of news that two British firms in Shanghai are resuming the shipment of cargoes to Tientsin. The British merchant ships Yatshing and Chengtu traversed the Hai River without being stopped and arrived at the concession wharf yesterday. after which the owners ordered the resumption of shipments from Shanghai. The food situation has slightly improved as a result of supplies being brought in by an armed escort. A detachment of the Durham Light Infantry marched out to the Italian concession, where they filled up seven lorries with vegetables and re-entered the British concession without challenge. The Japanese Consul in Tientsin today rejected the British Consul's renewed demands to cease discrimination against British subjects and relax the food and transport restrictions. The Japanese Consul assei-ted that the measures have been instituted in selfdefence. and the established policy will not be changed. The British authorities today are considering the evacuation of the women and children to nearby seaside resorts.