No blockade was in evidence at Swatow while the s. Kwangtung and the s. Seistan, both British steamers, were anchored at Swatow Bar, eight miles from the city, on June 28, according to reports reaching Shanghai yesterday.
Passengers on the steamers saw no Japanese warships, save one destroyer, but were held up at the bar by H.M.5. Scout, British destroyer. The captain of the Scout said that he had instructions to hold up' the British vessels pending negotiations between British and Japanese authorities.
The wife of the Swedish Commissioner at Swatow and her son, and a lady named Miss Murphy, the fiancee of a lieutenant on the U. S. S. Pills-bury, American destroyer, were disembarked from the Kwangtung, while one. American. passenger left the Seistan at Swatow. These passengers proceeded ashore in the Scout.
Armed guards, consisting of four bluejackets each, were placed on the two merchantmen. The vessels were advised by the British naval authorities to proceed from Swatow as the delay in negotiations might mean a layover at the bar for 24 hours. The two steamers accordingly got under way from Swatow at 2 p.m. on June 28, after being anchored at the bar for almost eight hours.
Taken Without Struggle Japanese naval forces took the town of Swatow without a struggle, according to reports from eyewitnesses. The Chinese defenders had retreated before the landing of the Japanese forces and the invaders simply marched in to take possession. There was only one Japanese wounded in the occupation.
Although there were, about 20 Japanese transports in Swatow har-hour, passengers on the merchant ships anchored out at the bar saw no evidence of a blockade or patrol by the Japanese navy. One destroyer was sighted and six armed launches were observed at intervals.
No aviation operations were to be uptown Telephone 38484
To-day at 240, 5, 7 and 9.15 pin.
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