en Circles Say That Unless Released Action Likely London, Aug. 2.
of the British subjects arrested in age failed to satisfy the British it was learned in reliable circles here last Unless the remaining seven Britons are freed promptly by the Japanese gendarmerie, it Britain will be forced to take action beyond represent these circles said.
These circles recalled that Japan ser rested 13 British subjects without Warning, leaving the significance of the action to sink into British minds.
Zt is not ruled out that Japan might be confronted in a similar way with an accomplished fact, they said.
The retention of the documents of he six released Britons by the Japan ese authorities indicating the possibility of their being prosecuted later, increased British dissatisfaction.
Move Against Hongkong?
Meanwhile, it was learned in authoritative quarters that the British E lor to Tokyo, Sir Robert Craigie, has made fresh representa tions to the Japanese Government requesting. an explanation of the arrests, Continues the policy now remark that French Indo-errands East A recent Japanese War Office communique implicitly branded Britain as a "hostile power." Although responsible opinion here is convinced that Japan is intent on driving British and other foreign interests from China, there was still doubt that Japan is seriously considering going. to war with Britain on a total scale. "This was presumed to mean that Britain also reckons strongly with a possible Japanese bid for Hongkong at a subsequent stage of Far Eastern developments. i rapidity mon characteristic; Each takes office m à programme of ending the Chi-
Observers here generally believe that Hongkong could hardly be de. fended successfully for long. They iphásized, however, that any Japan attack there would meet with armed resistance. Firm confidence is evident here, however, that any Japanese move against Singapore would find the British in a far stronger position.—United Press. now the primary purpose and Prince K.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.