Danger of Mines Above Boom Still Very Great: Attempt Being Made to. Solve the Problem 'DEPORTS from London to the effect that the Senior British Naval Officer in Shanghai had been formally notified by the Japanese authorities that Japan could no longer permit the passage of non-Japanese merchant vessels up the Yangtze river were discounted in Shanghai on Jan. 13, Both the shipping companies concerned and the Japanese authorities considered the London report, which was issued by the Diplomatic Correspondent of "The Times," to be slightly exaggerated and said that it did not exactly present the present situation in its correct light.
Daily News" Tearnd from an unofficial but] highly rellable source that the whole question of navigation on the Yangtze river above the Kiangyin, boom is now the subject of amicable negotiations between the British and the Japanese naval authorities. Slight' differences are being rapidly smoothed out, and it is understood that a. solution of the whole matter which will be mutually' satistagtory ig expected to be reached within a day or two.
In polit of fact, the two major British shipping " companies "con cerned, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Ca. and the China Navigation Ca,, are not contemplat~ ing the opening of anywhere near normal service as far' as Nanking, Wuhu, and other up-river ports are concerned for the tone being, con ditions being still much too dis turbed. Their ships have had practically no difficulty at all Fegards " the service—between Shanghai and Nantungchow (Tung~ chow), which is situated just below the Kiangyin boom, and regular services have been maintained. get in touch with the Japanese Navy and secure beforehand their understanding for ils prospective avigation through the booms.
Needless to add, the Japanese Navy are always ready to give sympathetic understanding to the navigation of foreign vessels so far fag It permissible from the military point of view and to offer facilities For the passage of such vessels by supplying a convoy.
"It Is, therefore, the earnest desire of the 'Imperial Jupanese Navy that the vessels of the interested Powers, taking full cognizance and appre-lation of the above-mentioned circumstances, will scrupulously train from' attempting to navigate through the forced channel freely or in such a way og may invite mis-Understanding with the Japanese Navy."
Me. Okamoto asked Mr. Aall to clreuiate the note to other members fof the Consular Body, so as to appraise of its contents the in terested Powers. The note was sent on January 10.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.