In accordance with the wishes of the Japanese Naval Landing Party, the two vans which were ultimately sent, were manned by 52 foreign and Sikh members of the S.M.P. and no Thompson. sub-machine—guns—although these weapons are usually carried by the Riot Squad—were taken along. It was furthermore agreed that in the event of necessity, the unit would be supported by all the effectives which could be mustered at Yulin Road police station.
The two vans were consequently sent towards Hongkew shortly before 4 pin. When they arrived on the bridge, the sentry telephoned to local headquarters and an officer soon appeared. The vans were examined and just as they were about to continue on their trip to Ward Road, the officer in question refused to grant them permission to do so on the grounds that the Sikh constables were armed with carbines, In this connection it must be pointed out that these weapons are the standard equipment for Sikh members of the Reserve Unit and that they had been previously agreed to by the Japanese authorities during the conversations which took place at noon. After conversations on the spot, which lasted 30 minutes, and at which a high Japanese SMP. officer, who had also made earlier arrangements in the matter, attended, the two vans had no alternative but to return to Gordon Road police station where they are usually posted, The vans were permitted 4o pass slong North Soochbw Road then crossing the Chapoo Road bridge back to the south side of the Settlement.
At 5.15 p.m. a single van, manned solely by foreign members of the Unit, finally was permitted to cross and on arriving at the tobacco firm's premises found that fortunately no trouble had broken out,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.