PETROL EMBARGO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1940, Page 5

PETROL EMBARGO

PROTEST TO THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, August 3. The Japanese Ambassador, Mr Horinouchi, handed the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, a Note expressing the official Japanese objection to the embargo on the export of aviation fuel. BLOCKADE ACTION SEIZURE OF AMERICAN SHIP. SHANGHAI, August 3. It is revealed that the Japanese navy seized the Estelle, a small vessel belonging to the American Robert Lang Company, on July 31, off the Chekiang coast) The Estelle has a Russian captain and a Chinese crew. It is understood she entered the Japanese blockade zone, which the United States does not recognise. i A Japanese navy spokesman said the Estelle had been detained because of military necessity. He said he did not know whether the vessel would be released. GESTAPO AGENT INFLUENCE IN JAPAN. LONDON, August 2. Further details have now reached London regarding the presence of a representative of the German Gestapo as a member of the staff of the Japanese Home Office. He was appointed early in 1937 as information officer to the Japanese Foreign Office following Japan’s adherence to the anti-Comin-tern Pact. At the outbreak of war he was attached to the German Embassy in Tokio, and was therefore a channel between the German Embassy and the Japanese Home Office. The importance of his present position is the influence he is known to wield over Japan’s internal affairs. Since the Russo-German Pact was signed last August, his activities have naturally changed. NEWS AGENCY MANAGER DETAINED IN SINGAPORE. POLICE VISIT TO HOUSE. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) SINGAPORE, August 4. The police have detained Mr Ishiro Kobayashi, Manager of the “Eastern News”, the Japanese news agency in Singapore. The police visited Mr Kobayashi’s house. RELEASED IN JAPAN THREE BRITISH SUBJECTS. MESSAGE TO LONDON EMBASSY. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, August 4. The Japanese Embassy has received a cablegram, dated July 30, announcing the release of Messrs Sandford and E. W. James, and also Mr Rich.