THE FAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 8

THE FAR EAST

DISPUTE AT SHANGHAI CONTROL BY AMERICANS OBJECTION BY JAPAN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlfrHt) LONDON, August 14 It is authoritatively disclosed in Shanghai that Mr W. R. Peck, Counsellor at the American Embassy in Shanghai, summoned a meeting of all defence commanders yesterday and proposed that United States marines should take over all British defence sectors south of Soochow Creek, leaving the Japanese one British sector north of the creek between the Honan and Yuyaching Roads to the boundary road, north of the station.

The Japanese Army publication Hsin Shun Pao, in an editorial article, has warned the foreign defence commanders that the Japanese Army “will take over the British , sectors,” regardless of Mr Peck’s proposal. The newspaper adds: “If the American scheme is enforced, we hope the Japanese Army blockades Shanghai, as it did Tientsin. Then we shall see what the United States marines can do about that.” The Japanese refused to attend the Shanghai meeting on the grounds that, firstly, Mr Peck, instead of the Japanese, summoned the meeting; j secondly, they desired a later date; and, thirdly, the meeting was called ; in the Municipal Council building in- j stead of the Japanese naval landing ; barracks. British and Italian commanders attended, and the French Municipal Council representatives sent observers. The proposal was held over until the meeting on Thursday of defence commanders, which the Japanese wished to hold in the Japanese naval landing barracks. Tactical Victory On account of the arrival of Admiral Hart, of the United States Navy, today from Tsingtao, the Japanese agreed to transfer the meeting of defence commandants to the Municipal Council building instead of the Japanese naval barracks. This was a tactical victory for the United States, representing a compromise between Admiral Hart’s yacht, the Isabel, and the Japanese barracks. Vice-Admiral Takeda, as the senior officer of foreign troops, was to have presided, but Admiral Hart outranks him and could have called the meeting on board the yacht. FOREIGNERS IN SHANGHAI AMERICAN ADMIRAL ARRIVES CONTROL OF SETTLEMENT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) (Received August 15, 3.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, August 13 It is officially stated that Admiral Hart, of the United States, arrives from Tsingtao tomorrow aboard one of six United States submarines. It is believed he will support Mr W. Peck’s proposal to take over the British sectors.

It is noteworthy that Admiral Hart is of higher rank than the Japanese representative and others concerned in the settlement.