London, Aug. 3. While attention was rivetted on what action the British authorities might take against Mr. Satoru Maki-hara and Mr. Shunsuke Tanabe, prominent Japanese businessmen, who were suddenly arrested by Scotland Yard agents last night, British Government officials continued to maintain strict silence today regarding the question, except to deny that the arrest of the Japanese had anything to do with the British subjects now being held in Japan on suspicions' of espionage.
Whitehall ofüclals merely ventured to comment that the Japanese might have been taken into custody for violation of the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act, amended on May 17 of this year to provide that foreigners committing acts detriment tal to the prosecution of the war shall be taken into custody instead of deported.
Interest ran high regarding the arrest of the two Japanese inasmuch as a number of Britons have been ar-
Tested in Tokyo, and are under examination at the present time, for suspected espionage.
Meanwhile, it was learned that Mr. Makihara, who is the Manager of tae London Branch of the Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, will not be allowed to see, or communicate, with anyone for the next 10 days, After this period, it was disclosed, he will be allowed two visitors and one letter a week.
It was also disclosed that prior to his arrest, Scotland Yard agents searched Mr. Makihara's home. The search was carried out but no documents were reported to have beer confiscated.
Nothing was reported as to when ther Mr. Tanabe, acting Manager of the Mitsui Bussan Company, could receive the same treatment as Mr.
Makihara regarding communications with the outside—Domei
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.