Japanese spokesmen at the press conference yesterday stated that they had been informed by the Customs that the ship's papers designated her port of call as Sienyangkang, not Shayangho and her proceeding there was a violation of Customs' Regulations. She was hailed at Shayangho, but the captain paid no attention to the signal and proceeded out io sea, perhaps eight or nine miles. The report was incorrect that Japanese desiroyers had stopped the three ships.
The spokesmen maintained throughout the discussion that the Japanese navy played no direct part in this sea drama. The destroyers happened to be there on ordinary patrol and went to Tsingtao with the Customs cruiser and the ships as a part of their usual routine. Their only role was indirect.
"Why did the Captain of H.M.S. [Birmingham consult with the Japanese command in Tsingtao if the Customs only were concerned in the seizure?"—"I am of the opinion that he thought that the Japanese had seized ihe St. Vincent de Paul He was referred to the Tsingtao Commissioner of Customs."
'A correspondent noted that it waa common knowledge that the Japanese were blockading the China Coast, but is the indirect assistance to the Customs cruiser in this case likely to set a precedent for further interference with foreign shipping?" The reply after consultation among the spokesmen was in the negative.
It was also stated that the incident concerning the seizure of the s. Nord by the Japanese navy on December 31, was considered closed and the ship would be permitted to continue as before. The two Norwegian vessels would be released shortly.
Reich Acts Against Jewish Dentists Berlin, Feb. 1.
Another slop in the exclusion of Jews from economic life will be taken today. After today, no Jewish dentists or veterinary surgeons will be allowed to practise in Germany. Actually, about one-third of the 120 Jewish dentists in Berlin have been informed that they will receive tei porary permission to continue practise ing—Reuter. the declarations made in Italy itself. More than half of the detachments in the advance on Barcelona, Mr. Attlee alleged, were Italian, and the fall of Barcelona was hailed as a "great Italian victory."
The action of the British Government throughout the whole of the Spanish question, with the solitary exception of the Nyon Agreement, had been definite encouragement to aggression.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.