London, Bar 12.
A vigorous campaign against lawless elements in Canton has been launched by the Japanese authorities, who have strengthened military street patrols, intensified the searching of pedestrians, and are conducting surprise raids in various parts of the: city.
More than 100 persons are reliably reported to have been arrested during the past few days, and nearly half of them have already been executed. After a parade in military trucks through the main thoroughfares, 41 of those arrested and subsequently found gullly of either armed robbery or looting were shot the first mass execution since the occupation.
Chinese women are receiving no more consideration than their menfolk in the present Japahese drive, for they are being as thoroughly searched by Japanese sentries 05 men are, Some of them can often seen forced to empty their pockets for inspection.
The authorities have announced the imposition of a "police tax" for the maintenance of -the city's growing police force.
Each shop or store will have to pay according to the nature and volume of its business, the larger the turnover the heavier the tan.
According to figures issued, puyments will range from 20 sen a month to several yen.
Japanese Explain Gunfire In an attempt to pacify the minds of residents, it has been semi~ officially explained that the sound of artillery fire often heard in the nights is the result of tests of heavy guns left behind by the Chinese forces In their retreat last year.
The many widespread rumours of the Japanese forces being hard pressed by Chinese guerillas in the suburbs of Canton are ridiculed.
It is explained that all is peacetw in the immediate environs of the city, as evidenced by the numerous Chinese constantly travelling by land and water to and from neighbouring villages. It is pointed out that the only possible way to test the worthiness of a gun is by firing it—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.