FORCE MAY BE USED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1939, Page 5

FORCE MAY BE USED

IN SUPPORT OF PEKING DEMANDS

ACCORDING TO JAPANESE SPOKESMAN. CONTROL OVER CONCESSIONS SOUGHT. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. PEKING, July 3. The Japanese - controlled Chinese Government lias dispatched to the British and French Embassies a list ofdemands forming a basis for settlement of the Tientsin dispute and said that the Japanese army in North China supported them. The Japanese spokesman declared that if no compromise is reached in connection with the demands force might he used Io attain the objectives. The demands include: — (1) That the British and French concessions support the new Japanese backed Chinese currency. (2) That the Peking Government be allowed to inspect the banks and business houses in the concessions. (3) Rigorous control of publications and organisations contrary to the policy of the Peking Government. (4) A joint British-French-Peking Government to control the concessions. ARRESTED BY JAPANESE ENGINEER FROM BRITISH STEAMER. ACCUSED OF INSULTING THE ARMY. The Japanese army spokesman in Tientsin today announced that gendarmes arrested and were holding in custody Mr E. T. Edwards, a British engineer from Butterfield and Swire, Ltd’s, steamer Yochow, for allegedly insulting the army. He added that the reported stripping of Mr Anderson would be investigated. The Japanese have issued a formal warning that Chinese merchants must leave Tientsin, which otherwise will be their common grave, says the Shanghai correspondent of "The Times.” Seamen met under the auspices of the Supreme Anti-British Committee and demanded recognition of their union, double pay and the surrender of the concession.

Japanese have landed at Shaocheng and the populace are fleeing to the country. Wenchow harbour has been closed.