LANDING AT SWATOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1939, Page 7

LANDING AT SWATOW

EXTENSION OF MILITARY ACTION BRITISH SHIPS TURNED BACK. JAPANESE FORCING THEIR WAY INLAND. LONDON, June 21. Japanese army and navy forces landed in the South China treaty port of Swatow at dawn, according to a Japanese communique issued •in Shanghai, which is confirmed by an official announcement from Tokio that Japanese warships entered Swatow harbour at 8.30 a.m. (local time). The British United Press correspondent at Hong Kong reports that the Japanese stopped and turned back three British ships bound for Swatow. The Japanese are forcing their way inland, despite strong opposition. Foreign shipping is warned off by the Japanese navy. The Japanese Foreign Office, referring to Swatow, states that the landing of the army and navy forces is merely an extension of purely military action for the purpose of destroying the bases of General Chiang Kai-shek’s resistance. The Japanese policy respecting the rights and interests of third Powers remained unchanged.

ISLANDS OCCUPIED “DOMINATING SWATOW AND HONG KONG.” JAPANESE ADMIRALTY ANOUNCEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. TOKIO, June 21. The Admiralty in a communique states that naval forces from the South China Fleet, Admiral Kondoh commanding, occupied all the islands dominating Swatow and Hong Kong. Several fires were started in Swatow, where the warships are bombarding the Chinese positions. Six warships in the harbour and three destroyers up the river are preventing the Chinese from reaching the Han Rivetdykes. The foreigners are believed to be safe. The Chinese suffered severely. An Imperia] Headquarters communique states that crack units of the military and naval forces in close co-op-

Transports are now proceeding up the river and mechanised units are landing. •Japanese warships are within two miles of Swatow. STANDING BY BRITISH AND AMERICAN DESTROYERS. RIGHTS OF THIRD POWERS. HONG KONG, June 21. The Japanese landed at three points in the vicinity of Swatow. The British destroyer Thanet and the United States destroyer Pillsbury are standing by in the interests of the 80 British subjects and 40 American citizens in Swatow. The first Japanese landing party consisted of 350 troops. A major landing followed, with methodical disembarkation of infantry and artillery. Another column landed north of Swatow apparently intending to encircle the city, cutting the railway inland. The Japanese Consul in Hong Kong states that the landing was necessary as munitions are being carried via Swatow. The Foreign Office spokesman in Tokio stated that every effort would be made to respect the rights of the third Powers in Swatow and also to prevent damage to the city. He hoped third Powers would understand Japan’s real intentions and co-operate, thus preventing incidents. OCCUPATION COMPLETED. (Received This Day. 9.55 a.m.) TOKIO, June 21. It is announced that the Japanese have completely occupied Swatow after a bombardment and that the vanguard is now at Anpow, eight miles further north. ' VALUE OF SWATOW. CENTRE FOR IMPORTATION OF ARMS. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) HONG KONG, June 21. The Japanese Consul declared that Swatow had become an important centre for the importing of Chinese war material since the fall of Canton.

MR TINKLER’S DEATH JAPANESE CRITICISED BY CORONER. SHANGHAI. June 20. At the inquest into the death of Mr R. M. Tinkler, the employee in a British finishing mill in Pootung, who was fatally wounded during a clash between mill strikers and Japanese, the coroner returned a verdict that death was due to abdominal wounds inflicted by persons not subject to British jurisdiction and was accelerated by failure to operate immediately. The coroner commented on the unnecessary and unjustifiable bayoneting and the failure of the Japanese surgeon to recognise the gravity of the wounds, and also the refusal of the Japanese naval authorities to allow Britishers to give attention to Mr Tinkler. NOT TO BE HEEDED JAPANESE ANTI-BRITISH PROPAGANDA. CHIANG KAI-SHEK’S WARNING. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) HONG KONG, June 21. General Chiang Kai-shek has issued a radio warning to all Chinese not to heed Japanese anE-British propaganda. REFUSAL TO HEAVE TO STEAMER WITH BRITISH PASSENGERS. JAPANESE ORDER IGNORED. (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) TIENTSIN. June 21. A number of British men, women and children left the settlement in a steamer which disregarded a Japanese command to heave to for the purpose of search. AMERICAN PROTEST. INTERFERENCE WITH PROPERTY. ißeceived This Day. 9.20 a.m.) TIENTSIN. June 21. The United States Consul has protested to the Japanese Consul against interference with United States cizitens' property.