The messages stated that the Japanese forces had not been informed regarding the safety zones, and having arrived with ihe gendarmerie ready to take over the ex-concessions, they expected foreign naval forces in the ex-British Concession, but were surprised to find them elsewhere.
Japanese patrols have taken over the ex-German Concession, and, therefore, Admiral Holt has withdrawn the British and naval forces from there.
The ex-Russian Concession, manned by American sailors, has also been taken over, and the American forces have retired to their billets at the Navy Y.MC.A.
Rear-Admiral Holt contacted representatives of the Japanese Gendarmerie and army at 10 a.m. today and arranged for British bluejackets to continue patrolling the ex-British Concession, except for the road separating it from the former Russian Concession.
The Japanese will also police the Bund, in order to allow a corridor for the movement of troops between different sections of the Chinese City.
General Maha, commander of the main Japanese forces, is reported to be arriving from Hankow by air today. Japanese planes continue to roar over the city. One dropped pamphlets signed by the Japanese Consul General for Hankow, Mr. Yoshita Hanawa, who is now in Kiukiang.
The message intimated a Japanese desire to respect foreign lives and property. The Race Club grounds two miles away are reported to be quiet, and foreigners' ponies have not been commanderedeered.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.