Tsingtao, Feb. 5.
The anti-British boycott in the interior of Shantung. still continues, according to reports from Tsinan, the capital, while there are indica tions that it may shortly be revived in. Tsingtao, Shops in Welhsten, midway between Tsingtao and Tsinan, were entered this week and all British goods found therein confiscated and sold at public auction for the benefit of "charity," according to Chinese press reports.
In Tsingtao itself the anti-British Committee recently held a meeting to discuss what, steps, if any, shall be taken to enforce the boycott of British goods in the port, but it reported that no dednite ' decisions were reached. This coincides with the revival of anti-British propaganda, which has been in abeyance for the past three months in the local vernacular press.
If the boycott is renewed in Tsing tao it will probably not be as violent elsewhere, according to foreign circles, who affirm that this is due to the fact that the Japanese Navy controls Tsingtao and the Navy hay always been more moderate than the Amy, the instigator of the "No British Goods" movement.
The appointment of Admiral Yana as Japanese Premier may have caused some discontent in Army circles, it {is suggested, with the result that the boycott, an Army matter, may be re-ewed as an assertion of Army authority in North China, Navy's Moderating Influence the whole the Japanese Navy thas exercised much of a moderating influence in Tsingtao, it is stated, The recent increase in shopping {facilities was mainly due, according to foreign circles, to the influence of the Navy, although doubtless with the consent of Tokyo, It is suggested in these circles that the Navy is in favour of a less aggressive policy towards Third Powers, partly account of goodwill on the part of personnel, and partly for fear of re~ prisals against Japanese shipping.
Japanese Naval circles, it is point ed out, must realize that Britain's wartime contraband control system. provides her with a potent and coordinated means of retaliation against @iscrimination in the Far East, which the Japanese Navy must
Reuter.
Snalous not to see brought into play.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.