Tokyo, Feb. 13.
Prompt surrender to Japanese custody of nine Germans removed from the Asama Maru was requested today by Mr. Masayuki Tani, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambassador, In the hour and a half consultation Mr. Tani informed Sir Robert that the Japanese Government would resume negotiations very soon to seek custody of 12 other Germans taken off the Japanese liner by a boarding party from a British warship on January 20.
It wes understood that the British envoy assured Mr. Tani that his Government was prepared to return nine Germans who have less military training than the others.
Procedure for turning over the seized men was discussed. after which Sir Robert told Mr. Tani that he would arrange matters to meet Japanese wishes as much as possible.
It was believed that the nine Germans will be delivered to Japanese authorities on Japanese territory Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.