TENSE SITUATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1940, Page 5

TENSE SITUATION

REPORTED AT WEIHAIWEI JAPAN SEEKING TO TAKE OVER ADMINISTRATION. CHUNGKING GRANT IGNORED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) . (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, October 8. Reuter’s Shanghai correspondent reports that the Weihaiwei situation is extremely tense. On October 1, from which date a new British lease was granted by the Chungking Government, sixty Chinese sailors, accompanied by a force of armed Japanese marines, were brought from Tsingtao in the Japanese cruiser Iwate and landed on the island, in order “to take over the administration.” Boards simultaneously were set up in prominent positions throughout the island stating in Japanese and English that, “the British interests having terminated on September 30, 1940, the Japanese Navy hereafter will take over and administer the island for military necessity.” It is understood that the Japanese have requested evacuation of all property occupied by the British naval authorities. The Japanese have occupied the island at Weihaiwei and the British residents have withdrawn, the 8.8. C. reports. A stipulation of the agreement with China was that British warships must not use the island during the war. The British Government has reserved its rights and does not accept the Japanese statement that all British interests have expired. Notices have been posted on the island stating that the Japanese Navy will take over the administration. NEWS IN SHANGHAI SENSATIONAL VIEW DEPRECATED. BUT PROMPT EVACUATION , URGED. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, October 8. The local Consulate has not yet advised Americans to evacuate. However, it is understood that it is issuing a circular within a few hours. The State Department’s message said the instructions should not be interpreted sensationally. The instructions emphasised that evacuation was advisable in view of the uncertain conditions throughout the Orient and definitely advised Americans to return to the United States instead of "going to Manila, to which many were evacuated in previous China emergencies. It is estimated that 9,000 white Americans and 2,000 Chinese, Japanese and Filipino Americans are resident in the areas involved. It is understood that some American ships are being diverted to China for the purpose of facilitating the evacuation. The instructions said American women, children and non-essential men should particularly be advised to evacuate as soon as possible. It is understood that Navy wives are being ordered to return to the United States as soon as possible. GENERAL CRISIS ANTICIPATED IN FAR EAST. STATEMENT BY LORD LOTHIAN. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 8. The British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, announced that he has cancelled his plans to fly to London because the British Foreign Office “think there may be a general crisis in the Far East and told me I had better stay on my job.” This announcement was made after a conference with President Roosevelt. JAPANESE VIEW “NOTHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.” (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, October 8. The Domei Agency reports from Tokio that the Foreign Office said that if A.merican evacuation reports are true “they are nothing to be excited about, since the United States customarily acts with caution for the protection of its nationals abroad.”