In view of the official request of Mr. E. G. Jamieson, British Consul General, to Britons to seek passage in and out of the concession "only if urgently necessary," Mr. House told me that he does not intend to return between Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambassador in Tokyo, and Mr. Hachiro Arita, Japanese Foreign Minister.
The "Kokumin Shimbun", however, declares that Sir Robert Craigie communicated Great Britain's attitude on the Tientsin situation and demanded the Japanese Government's formal reply to British protests."—Reuter, that, while Tokyo had not been consulted regarding the details, all measures had been taken under orders from Tokyo.
He stated that it was incorrect to term the present state of affairs at Tientsin a "blockade," preferring the term "trafic restrictions." General Homma strongly denied that the Japanese authorities were cutting off supplies of foodstuffs from the Concessions.
"Unavoidable Delays"
He pointed out that the difficulties experienced were due to unavoidable delay at the barriers, caused by the necessity for a careful rearch of all articles brought in to the Concessions.
As regards river traffic, General Homma said that no restrictions had been imposed, except for the examination of ships entering or leaving port. He added that traffic on the river could not be restricted without special orders from Tokyo.
Referring to incidents involving British army lorries, General Homma stated that these were due to the fact that the lorries disregarded the traffic regulations, and endeavoured to pass against one-way traffic "Asked if further tightening of the restrictions was envisaged, General Homma replied after some hesitation that this possibility could not be excluded, in view of the flexibility of the measures taken, to the Concession for a few days.
(Foreigners on approaching the search shack which was erected a month ago at the barrier gate must leave their automobiles and rickshaws unless they are in possession of special pass.
The search shack is about fifty feet away—down an unprotected alley which is muddy during the rain. All those leaving or entering the concession must go to the rear entrance of the shack. Usually there is a long line of coolies waiting to be passed. Not more than a dozen can pass during an hour.
Later today when I returned to the concession through another gate a Japanese sentry glanced at my pass and said, "American?" He then passed me immediately—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.