257
Subject.
4. Northern District.
Failure to restore Northern District of International Settlement to the control of the Municipal Council
First Repre- sentation.
July 18
Japanese
Present situation,
Government have stated reasons for their attitude, but have given no undertakings to restore the area in connexion with Municipal Council's memorandum of March 18. Proof has been furnished to the Japanese Government of safe condi- tions in the districts Municipal Council
which control,"
the and
of the
Japanese authorities at Shanghai have expressed approval Council's anti-terrorist measures.
Subject,
2. Chefoo. Lighter Association.
7:
First Repre- sentation.
Present situation.
Imposition, without consultation of September 25 The working of British ships has been
British interests involved, of Н Lighter Association controlled by a Japanese concern, and the use of threats of interference with labour supply against firms not wishing to join
interfered with as was threatened. Japanese Government stated that con- trols were established to prevent arms snuggling, and that no discrimination was intended. Evidence has been communicated to the Japanese Government showing that threats of forcible interference with British interests were both made and carried out.
In spite of frequent representa- tions by His Majesty's Embassy, and of acknowledgment by the Vice- Minister for Foreign Affairs that the local arrangement reached by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire could only be regarded as temporary, no appropriate action has been taken by the Japanese authorities.
5. Northern District. Buses and Tram-
ways.
(a) Buses.
China General Omnibus Company, who bought franchise to operate buses in the Northern District, have been prevented from operating, by the Japanese authorities (b) Tramways.
Shanghai Electric Construction Company prevented from carrying passengers to and from Yangtzepoo
6 Whangpoo Conservancy.
Removal and detention by Japanese naval authorities of dredgers and equipment belonging to the Conser- vaney Board, an international body
September 1938
(in Shanghai) October 1938 (in Tokyo)
December 1937
(in Shanghai) July 26, 1938
(In memoran- dum of cases for speedy settlement presented to General Ugaki)
April 16
No satisfaction, though any military necessity for prevention has long since disappeared.
are
use
Permission to take trams for repair
granted on March 28 (and to Yangtzepoo Wayside Depot in Novem- ber) but passengers
still not allowed to travel by the trainways, though any military necessity for such preventive measures has long since disappeared.
No reply before July 26, when reminder was handed to General Ugaki. Further note August 27, emphasising inter- national status of the Board and requesting return of property and resumption of operations. Septem- ber 28 General Ugaki suggested local discussion suggestion adopted but so far no result has been reached.
:October 6 No
reply
1. Chefoo.
C-North China.
Dissolution of Harbour Improvement Commission. Dissolution was carried out by local
authorities under pressure from the Japanese Government and in dis- regard of the International Agree- ment covering the constitution of the commission. Japanese consul, as representative of the Consular Body, proposed this illegal action at meeting of the commission, without even consulting his collen- gues. The plea was made that the municipal authorities would be best able to manage the harbour, but the property and management of it was promptly handed over to the Japanese Navy, who have
caused a
now
Chefoo Harbour Office
to be set up to manage the harbour.
+
3. Chefoo. Seizure of Customs vessel
Haicheng.
Seizure on June 30 by the Japanese naval authorities, eviction of foreign officers and intimidation of the Chinese crew by the use of machine guns
4. Chefoo. Restrictions on Exports.
July 6
For subsequent developments see North China, paragraph 11: "Seizure of Customs vessel Hoian at Tsingtao.''
Imposition of restrictions on exports November 1 No reply.
by British ships to Hong Kong and discrimination in favour of similar
shipments in a German ship
5. Peking and Tientsin Times.
Ban
placed on circulation by Japanese authorities.
Requests that it be lifted and points September 19 Japanese Government requested that
out that copies are not even delivered to Diplomatic Missions
6. Tientsin. Concessions.
prior conditions regarding its attitude should be given by the newspaper. His Majesty's Ambassador informed the Japanese Government that no conditions could be expected before the removal of the ban, especially as the Japanese authorities had failed to find one instance of anti-Japanese articles. Immediate removal of the ban has been requested, and it has been pointed out that not even the instructions to the local authorities to remove the ban on deliveries to Diplomatic Missions have been carried
out.
In spite of frequent representa- tions no suitable action has been taken; situation has, indeed, been rendered worse by the confiscation in North China of certain editions of other British newspapers.
Protest against the unfounded reasons September 2 No reply to letter of September 2, nor
given by the Japanese military for the order to Japanese subjects to evacuate British and French Con- cessions. Order makes it more difficult for British authorities to carry out suppression of terrorist activities
Further to reminder of the 15th. letter, December 3, describes pressure brought by Japanese authorities on Japanese subjects to leave the con- cessions, and
similar exercise of pressure on other individuals and organisations. Requests early explana- tion of these measures. Still no reply received, and further letter sent on December 19 pointing out that con- cessions are surrounded, that British subjects are compelled to show pass- ports, and that food supplies are being interfered with. All these measures are being imposed by the Japanese
nilitary on inadequate grounds.
258