At yesterday's press conference, the Japanese Embassy spokesman said some people in Shanghai believed that the Japanese authorities intended to take over the French Concession and the International Settlement in the event of Italy's entry into the European war. He added that the Japanese do not contemplate any such action merely by reason of Italian participation in the war, barring some radical change-in the situation, This assertion followed his statement that rumour had it that the French Concession authorities had requested the American authorities to take over patrol duties in the Concession, in the event of Italy's entry into the European war. "The Japanese authorities," he went on to say, "since they are responsible for the maintenance of peace and order in the whole area surrounding Shanghai, cannot but feel a deep concern should there be any truth in the rumour."
Mr. Y. Miura, Japanese Consul-General, therefore, continued the spokesman, called yesterday on the M. Auge, French Consul-General, and Mr. R. P. Butrick, Acting U.S. Consul-General and asked whether any foundation to these rumours existed. Both replied that there was "absolutely no foundation." The French official further assured him that as far as the French Concession was concerned, there could be no such change in its administration in future.
Sergeant F. W. Thatcher, whose resignation from the Shanghai Municipal Police becomes effective next Friday, was the recipient yesterday afternoon of a beautiful tea-set, suitably engraved, presented to him by Mr, R. Conduit, District Detective Officer, "A" Division, on behalf of members of the SMP, at Louza police station, In addressing.the large gathering of Mr, Thatcher's friends who attended the presentation, Mr. Conduit said that the retiring police officer was leaving after having been with the SMP, for more than 10 years during which time he had made many friends among members of the police, He wished him the best of luck in Australia where Mr. Thatcher intends to join the Army.
In reply, Mr. Thatcher thanked his collogues very much for the beautiful present and said that he would do his utmost to join up in Australia the moment he got there, He said that he felt sorry to have to leave his many friends in Shanghai, expressing the hope that he would return here in years to come and wishing all his friends the best success in their endeavours.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.