CO129-563-15 Sino-Japanese War- Anti-Japanese demonstrations and evacuation of Japanese 1-9-1937 - 28-4-1938 — Page 42

THE TIMES WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8

Envoy Stops At Hongkong

For Blockade Talk

Daily Express Staff Reporter

HONGKONG, Tuesday.-Mr. R. G. Howe, on his way to Shanghai to act as deputy for the shot British Ambassador, delayed his sailing from here today for twenty-four hours to consult the Government on the blockade which the Japanese have swiftly established.

Only an imperative Government order, it is believed, stopped a gun- boat from going to help the British river steamer Taishan when she was intercepted and turned back by a Japanese cruiser.

The situation has been created by the seizure of Lintin Island, five miles south-west of Hongkong, out- side British territorial waters, and of Pratas Shoals, 180 miles south-east.

The radio station and observatory on Pratas Shoals have been destroyed, and it is thought Japan will set up a seaplane base there.

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1937

16.

JAPANESE SEIZE ISLETS

WIRELESS STATION

WRECKED

STAFF MADE PRISONERS

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

HONG-KONG, SEPT. 7

at

Chinese employees of the Sea Products Company, which collects seaweed Pratas Shoals, a group of islets and reefs 180 miles south-east of Hong-kong, have arrived here and tell a harrowing story of the seizure of the islets by Japanese.

Japanese marines landed on Friday morning with two machine-guns and two anti-aircraft guns and surrounded the meteorological and wireless station, which watches for typhoons. They ejected the staff and wrecked the interior of the station. Then, it is reported, they lined up the staff outside and forced them to kneel before machine-guns while the Sea Products Company's employees were being rounded up.

All were then locked up until the follow- ing day, when the lighthouse staff were haled forth and accused of concealing arms. The meteorological director, Mr. Lee King-hong, was questioned, and when he pleaded ignorance a knife was affixed in a towel on his head, and a marine who was armed with a hammer threatened to drive the knife in while two others pricked him with bayonets and an officer slapped his face. Other prisoners were similarly treated.

The next day, Sunday, the members of the lighthouse and meteorological staff were ordered to don uniforms and were taken on board a destroyer as prisoners of war. The Sea Products employees were put into a 25ft. junk with a small motor, were given five gallons of petrol, and were ordered to leave. They begged for more petrol and were given 15 gallons and were speeded on their way with gunshots. They reached Hong-kong after struggling for 41 hours in a rough sea and a strong gale. They report that one employee is missing.

PETROL FOR SEAPLANES

They saw 20 Japanese corpses, appar- ently a result of the first raid on Amoy, which were taken ashore at Pratas for cremation. The Japanese also landed 500 tins of aviation petrol, indicating their intention to use Pratas for a seaplane base. Chinese reports state a destroyer yes- terday again shelled Amoy without warn- ing, while six aeroplanes dropped six bombs. The damage was small.

Three hundred Japanese women and children left Hong-kong on Sunday, and a further 200 Japanese, including a few men, were evacuated to-day. About 1,000 re- main, and they are being accommodated at three concentration places for their safety.

Mr. R. G. Howe, who is going to China as Chargé d'Affaires at the British Embassy, arrived to-day in the Imperial Airways liner Dorado. He consulted with local officials and then departed for Shanghai to-night on board H.M.S. Daring.

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capres datubated

12-135.