Questioned at yesterday's press con ference on restrictions placed on the entry and exit of foodstuffs and Chi nese into and from the French Concession in Hankow, Japanese spokes men stated that only ordinary' military precautions were being taken, Inasmuch as there were a large num: ber of Japanese troops in the Wuhan area, 'There was no' definite scheme to restrict access to the Concession, To the suggestion that Chinese were not allowed entry, it was stated that all Chinese bearing passes were allowed to enter or Jeave before cur~ few hours. A correspondent asked if Int were true that Chinese foodstuffs were prohibited from going into the Concession; the reply was made that food carts had to be examined In the usual manner.
Were the restrictions in Hankow and Tientsin comparable with those existing round Shanghai?—Purposes of restriction were the same; to pre Vent undesirables from travelling to and fro, Tt was dificult to make fan exact comparison, it was added, unless one went 'o Hankow and oh: served conditions frst hand.
By way of further explanation, spokesmen pointed out that Japanese sentries on border duty in the Shinghai area on searching Chinese had found grenades in bamboo poles, pistols in cabbage baskets, and am= munition in bedding.
No one of the spokesman said he had any knowledge of a Japanese vessel arriving in Hankow with two or 300 Japanese civilians including women and children on board, Mankow Tension Eased The situation in the French Con-Hankow, Dec. 2 cession considerably eased today and the French Consul, M. Colin, told Reuter that relations between the French and the Japanese were very {rlendly. There were no questions between the French and Japanese authorities, M. Colin declared, which remained unsettled.
Asked regarding the water supply, the Concession, the French Consul General said that the Japanese had promised to turn on the water in a fow days. He added, however, that the matter was not important, be. cause the Concession authorities ha arranged for an adequate supply of water from the river.
When questioned on the Conces~ slon's food supply, M. Colin said: "Have you seen our market?" He explained that the Japanese embargo) against the Chinese taking food into the French Concession had been im-Posed only for two days, and that the only reason for this measure had been to drive hawkers from the French foreshore (o the new sites.
When this objective had been accomplished, M. Colin continued, the Japanese readily agreed to" the French establishing a market. inside, the Concession for which food was, now being permitted to enter.
Reuter visited the market and found it filled with provisions, me dicating that there was no fear of starvation Reuter. of apprehending anti-Japanese and Fro-Communist elements who were seeking to maintain contact with their accomplices outside of the foreign-Jcentrolled areas.
Chinese eartdrivers, hawkers, an others, the Japanese officials were stid to have stressed, were frequently suspected of serving as such agents. Hence, the ban on the cows and their drivers.
'A request for continued co-opera ion by the British authorities in this Japanese effort to maintain peace and forder was also made, it was under-
Tientsin Foreigners Prepare Tientsin, Dec. 20.
The precautionary measures, instltuled by the Japanese military and Chinese police @ few days ago on the boarders of the British and Prench areas, were continued. today, with tened. evidence that they might be tight
There is now "no delivery of the "Peking & Tientsin Times" outside the Concessions. Residents of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.