'What bearing can any Tokyo a1 rangement have on' the situation Shanghai" queried a correspondent.
"The situation here is different from and this of the blockading of the Settlement and the Concession, a spokesman added, has aroused a lars decree of uneasiness and the report which was responsible for the dissemination of the news of any possi-Die blockade must be regarded as a rumour. He emphasized that a blockade was possible but improbable, Questioned regarding the report, that the Settlement and the Conces: sion were making preparations to face a possible Japanese Blockade of this city, high officials of both administrations vehemently denied this, ud added said that the report was "too ridiculous to merit comment."
Asked whether reports from South China to the effect that Hongkong may also be blockaded were correct, the spokesman replied that the pre-seit, movements of the Japanese military in the vicinity of the British colony actually constitute part of the blockade of the China coast Ju endeavour to prevent arms and am-from reaching the Chinese to sive any fof the notes, the spokesman added, "Is the rumour that the French authorities have suggested the estab-Hishment of a Mixed Court correct?"
"If we answer this question with yes or no, we would give all the details away."
Asked whether the Japanese would resort 10 force i the event tha negotiations did not result in the rendition of the courts, the spokesman said that he, could not reply.
"Bul," contintied the correspondent, alter "the Shanghai Mainichi reported this
"That may have been the of the paper:
"The Shanghai Mainichi* has good be connections among Japanese oficial Circles, however", replied the corres pondent, whereupon the spokesman Stniled but made no remark.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.