Tientsin, July 1. Confirmation that British-owned lighters were being detained by the Japanese authorities at Hsinho, 30 miles down river from Tientsin, was given by the Japanese military spokesman at a press conference here today.
When the lighters passed Hsinho under tow on Thursday,, he said, they were hailed by Japanese sentries, but refused to halt, whereupon Japanese Arry Opposed To Tokyo Parleys Peiping, July 1.
Local Japanese military authorities, as their colleagues in Tienisin, indicated today that they were suspicious of the Tokyo conference over the Tientsin situation and hoped that the Tokyo authorities would "appreciate our atwge" A Japanese military spokesman said that the British evidently believed that "Tokyo's attitude in the negotiations would be more mild than that of the Japanese military in north China, The Japanese army believes such an attitude might lead to an "unfavourable compromise," the spokesman said, adding that the Japanese military hoped that the Tokyo authorities would support the Japanese military stand. The Japanese army is not directly connected with the anti-British campaign, the spokesman said, but he admitted that "it is generally true that everything happening in north China is connected with the Japanese Army."—United Press. a warning shot was fired. The tugs towing the lighters -stopped and abandoned them.
The lighters, he added, were still at Hsinho. They had not been claimed by their owners, but the Japanese authorities would first examine the export cargo, carried by one of them before taking further action, The owners, it is understood, are taking steps in an attempt to secure the release of the lighters.
The lighters in question belong to ihe Taku Tug and Lighter Ca. and to Messrs, Butterüeld and Swire—Reuter.
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