BRITISH SUBJECTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1940, Page 5

BRITISH SUBJECTS

CONVICTION ANNOUNCED IN JAPAN ON ESPIONAGE CHARGES. OTHERS UNDER ARREST. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright! TOKIO, September 30. The Minister of Justice, Mi* Kazami, announced that seven of 10 British residents who were arrested for alleged espionage have been convicted. Their sentences will be announced later. The 10 British subjects who had been under arrest since last Friday were indicted on charges of violation of the Military Secrets Protection Law and the naval and criminal codes of the Military Resources Protection Law, while several others are being examined. One Japanese has been indicted and 50 others warned op account of proBritish activities. Those indicted include a retired captain, Charles H. James, and Messrs George A. James, Ernest W. James, Michael Linger, Hamish McNaughton, Henry Bly th, John Drummond, William T. Charles and T. B. Willey. REPORTS IN CONFLICT DEPARTURE OF JAPANESE FROM LONDON. TOKIO, September 30. The Japanese Embassy in London has ordered 750 Japanese residents in Britain to evacuate as soon as possible. The measure is not related to the aggravation of relations between Britain and Japan following the conclusion of the tripartite pact but is caused by the danger confronting the Japanese residents, particularly those in the London area. Contradictory reports have been circulating today, another message states, about Japanese residents leaving Great Britain. The Japanese wireless announced that the embassy had ordered 750 of them to go, but the embassy formally denied this. It appears that the truth is that the Japanese ConsulGeneral in London has asked the Foreign Office in Tokio to send a ship to pick up some of the Japanese residents who want to go back. Apparently some'of the Japanese firms and banks in London have decided to reduce their staffs and have asked their Consul-General to arrange for them to return home. \ CLOSER RELATIONS DESIRED WITH AUSTRALIA. NO JAPANESE LEAVING. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Japanese Consul-General here, Mr M. Akiyama. stated tonight that there was not the slightest intention of evacuating any of the 1.500 Japanese in Australia. Rather would there be a tendency Japanese to come to do business. Indeed Japan desired closer relations, not only with Australia, but with lhe United States and Canada.