A correspondent then asked whether it was correct that the Japanese military authorities had issued a proclamation according to which they could not assume responsibility over the safety of foreigners and their properties in Swatow and that Admiral H. E. Yarnell had dispatched a strong protest to the Japanese. The spokesman replied that this was entirely wrong, and that there was no reason to believe that the Japanese would not safeguard foreign life and property.
In connection with discriminatory treatment of British subjects, the spokesman said that all foreigners were being treated alike but that Japanese officials and individuals knew only too well that the British Government was supporting the Chiang Kai-shek regime and that therefore they may have been discriminating against Britishers.
"Are the Japanese compelled to act according to the orders issued by their Government or merely in the light of their attitude towards the nation?" a correspondent queried.
Is the American army acting in compliance with orders issued in Washington?" the spokesman asked.
"I am not the American spokesman."
The Japanese have noticed a certain degree of ce-operation on the part of the Shanghai Municipal Cou: cil and the French Concession according to the spokesman, in curbing anti-Japanese activities and this improved state of affairs has had its favourable aspect in the ce-operation lent by the Japanese Naval Lan Party in connection with the "Safety First No Accident Campaign" which is at present being hell Individual attacks against leaders of the British community are also becoming frequent, the most outstanding example being a recent article in the "Shun Pao," leading Japanese-controlled Chinese daily.
The paper stated that Mr. A. E. Tipper, Australian chairman of the British Concession Municipal Council, called a secret meeting of the "inner council" at which he is alleged to have made "highly improper suggestions" against Chinese. Other perfectly preposterous and defamatory accusations are dise levelled against Mr. Tipper.
The "Shun Pao" quoted the place, date and hour of the alleged meeting; but, as a matter of fact, Mr. Tipper On that day was not well and kept to his room. He did not see anybody.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.