'An. executive committee of 27 members was elected and Mr. Chen Chee-chen, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese Ratepayers' "Association, was Instructed to assume the duties of Chairman during the absence of Mr. Vu Ya-ching at a recent representa tive conference of the Association, it was disclosed by Mr, Ting Mu-chuan, Minister of Social Affairs of the new Nanking Government, in an inter view yesterday, Tt was learned tha the conference was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Affairs, In the course of the: interview Mr, Ting Voleed his condemnation of" fal rumours which, he, said, had been circulated regarding' the reorganized auvgclation, Among ether things he chairman, Mr, Chen Che-chen; mem:
of the standing committee, Mr. Chang I-sung, Mr. Li Chi-yung, Mr. [Chang Chuan-sung, Mr, Lu Wen-chao, Mr, Hoo Sheu-"The newly-cleded Chairman, Mr. J¥u Yasching, has had long relationship with the affairs of Shanghai, As he is not in the city at the present {time he can not continue to hold his position as Chinese Councillor to the IS.M.C. During his absence from Shanghai, the members in their re. Jeent meeting have decided that the Vice-chairman, Mr, Chen Chee-chen, shall take over the duties of the Seizure Foiled Shanghai, Apr. 18.
'Timely arrival of SMP. olliciats put an end to an attempt made by party of Japanese gendarmes and officials of the Nanking Government to take over the offices of Chinese Ratepayers' Association at the Bank-Gulld in Hongkong Road at about $030 am. yesterday.
Expecting this movement, the police detailed two foreign detectives from Central police station, together with, three Chinese constables to guard the office. A few minutes after their ar~
by three Japanese gendarmes, val there, the bauding was visited Major Hayashi, and several Chinese. The latter wanted to break down the office door, but were refused permission by te detectives on duty, who. telephoned to the station. A police party, headed by Chief Inspector B. Boddy and Detective Inspector R.. Moir, arrived at the scene a few minutes later.
The number of Japanese gendarmes and Chinese offélais was increased by the arrival of about fifteen men In three ears. Another call was made fo Police Headquarters and Assistant Commissioner G. J. Bennett rushed to Hongkong Road, and after talking. with the Japanese, telephoned to: Deputy Commissioner T. Robertson to ask for advice as to. whether he: should allow the Japanese to take over the offices of the Chinese Ratepayers' Association. Permission to do 0 was not granted by Mr. Robertson.
"Wrong Impression"
Negotiations on the spot continued and Major Hayashi said that he had been given a wrong impression, be-Heving that the Ratepayers had objection to handing over the office to the Japanese gendarmes and Nanking Government officials.
Major Hayashi then asked whether he would be permitted to take over the office if he returned with a key, fan indication that Chinese Ratepayers had no objection to the taking over of the office They withdrew after more than an hour of conversation with the police officials.
Two foreigners and two Chinese constables were ordered to remain on. the premises to guard the office, with instructions to allow no.gendarmes. to enter it unless they were accompanied by an officer of the SMP.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.