Shanghai, July 10. AN explanation of the circumstances leading to the arrest of sixteen members of the Japanese Gendarmerie by a United States Marine patrol on July 7, the anniversary of the Loukouchiao Incident, was given by the U.S. Marine Headquarters in Shanghai yesterday.
The release of the Marine communique followed severe criticism of the action of the American authorities by the Japanese military spokesman here, who described it as an, "insult to the Japanese Army."
'The Marine statement} stressed the fact that the Japanese authorities had not notified the Marine Headquarters of the presence of the men who, it was stated by the Japanese authorities, were taking precautions to secure the safety' of Gen, Nishio, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Forces in China, who was visiting various Settlement] officials, The Marine statement follows "On July 7, 1940, the anniversary fof the Loukouchiao'Ineident, the ath 'Marines' were acting in active support of the SALP. at the request of the police. to prevent anti japanese demonstrations "and. terrorist. activities. At "about 1000, " the Marines were informed by the police that strange Japanese in civilian clothes, thought to be Gendarmes, and carry: ing concealed weapons, were gather ed on Bubbling Well Roa "These men were along the route foyer which the Japanese General Nishio" was expected to pass. soon, The Marines were responsible for General Wishio's safety as. long. as. hho remained in the American Sector, and ay these men might be terrorists, was necessary {0 remove them and remove them fast. No time was available to communicate with Japanese authorities to verity these men's Identities, Orders were issued for their arrest, An officer's patrol accompanied by an officer of the SMP. Who pointed out the suspicious characters, effected the arrests, Some relisted, Identifeation "cards were produced purporting that the men Were members of the Japanese Gendarmerie. However, doubt was east on this because of the fact that the Marine authorities had not been Informed that Japanese Gendarmey would operate in the Marine Sector, the leader of these men was permitted to call his superiors. Jap ese Gendarmerie officers arrived Marine Headquarters and. identi: these men as Gendarmes. The offi were thereupon Informed that the men would be released but that fan apology from General Miura was expected for placing his men, armed and in apparent disguise, in American Sector without "American knowledge or authority.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.