ARRESTS OF JAPANESE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1940, Page 5

ARRESTS OF JAPANESE

IN BRITAIN & EASTERN COUNTRIES NO COMMENT IN TOKIO. PENDING DETAILED REPORTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, August 5. The “Daily Mail” says the Japanese Embassy reveals that the British arrested three Japanese journalists at Rangoon (Burma), on Friday and another at Singapore yesterday. A message from Tokio says that the Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Suma, declined to comment on the London arrests pending detailed reports. Cables from London, he said, were being delayed. Mr Suma explained that the Counsellor to the Embassy in London, Mr Okamoto, reported that he had been informed officially .that the arrests were not retaliatory’ but he expressed the opinion that more arrests might be made. Mr Suma added that four arrests in London, the one in Singapore, and the arrest of one Japanese business man in Hong Kong had been confirmed, while the Rangoon arrests had not been confirmed. The Japanese Embassy twice approached the Foreign Office at the weekend and requested the release of Messrs Makihara and Tanabe. Lord Halifax’s answer was sent to Tokio. The “Daily Telegraph” says that deportation orders have been issued against Mr Eguchi and Mrs Yoshn. The Japanese Embassy has received a cablegram dated July 30, announcing the release of Mr Sandford, who was arrested in Korea, Mr E. W. James, and Mr Rich. A Reuter message. Daventry states, reports the arrest of five Japanese subjects by British authorities in the Far East. The Japanese War, Navy and Foreign Ministers are meeting to consider the arrests. The Japanese have released three more British subjects, leaving seven still detained. THREAT OF REPRISALS ANGRY TALK IN JAPAN. ANTI-BRITISH MEETING AT OSAKA.

LONDON, August 5. The Japanese Foreign Office an- ' nounced that the Foreign Minster, Mr ' Matsuoka, and his department chiefs ' discussed the London arrests and coun-ter-measures. ’ However, the spokesman declined to give details, stating that more information was being ' awaited before formal action was : taken by Mr Matsuoka through the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie. The Premier, Prince Konoye left Tokio by train for Hayama, where it is believed he will inform the Emperor of the Anglo-Japanese situation. The Domei news agency says the Government is fully determined to take drastic measures in the event of the Anglo-Japanese situation becoming worse over “the repeated illegal anests of Japanese residents.” . r The “Chugai Shogyo Shimpo, Tokio, r said the Japanese Government will de--2 mand that the British release the s Japanese and give a guarantee against 1 further arrests. Both of the demands will be without connection with Japan’s espionage arrests. The Osaka correspondent of the Domei news agency says the. local Assembly decided to hold an anti-Brit-ish meeting on Wednesday. It passed the following resolution: “For the sake of establishing, the solidarity of Greater Asia we demand that the influence of outrageous Britain be annihilated. Similar meetings will be held in Tokio. The Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a special meeting passt) ed a resolution demanding reconsideration by Britain of the arrests of the e Japanese. It urged Japan’s Ministers is of War, Navy and Commerce to take ■ r . a firm stand. r A message from Singapore states that the local Japanese residents ex/i press surprise at the detention of the journalist Kobayashi, but state that ts he is being well treated. He was per■o mitted to take a suitcase containing 2- clothing and other personal articles, w Kobayashi is well known in Singapore. 1- In addition to his work for the eastern in news he was the Domei correspondent ir when the agency was started. .y £ MR MAKIHARA RELEASED. .. (Received This Day. 10 a.m.) j 4 LONDON. August 5. Mr Makihara has been released.