Evening star., 1940-07-31
Japan 10 Reject
British Protest
Against Arrests
Prisoners Release
Demanded by London;
Four Already Freed
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, July 31.-Japan will re-
ject any British protest over her
arrest of British citizens in an al
legged espionage roundup, Foreign
ONCE Spokesman Yakichiro suma
said today.
(Authorized sources in London
indicated today that Britain has
demanded the release of all Brit
ish subjects arrested by Japanese
authorities in widespread anti
espionage raids.
(Four Britons already have
been reported released in Japan.
(Strong representations to this
end have been made both in
Toxic by Ambassador Sir Robert
Leslie Craigie and by Foreign
Secretary Lord Halifax to the
Japanese Ambassador here, 1t
was said)
Suma told press conference that
| If Britain should protest against
the arrests "the government will
give no consideration" to 1t be-
cause the roundup is entirely justi-
| fed"
He said authorities have "suf-
| flcient evidence" against the prison.
ers, the number of whom he previ-
ously had declined to disclose. He
| indicated that such arrests were
continuing despite the strong Brit
ish reaction.
Suma said that "it would be en-
tirely unreasonable for Britain to
make any sort of protest in con-
nection with the arrests"
Strong Protest Expected.
The British Ambassador, Sir Rob-
ert Leslie Craigie, intends to see
Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka
soon and is expected to enter a
strong protest, 1t was stated author
itatively.
In declining to say how many
Britons were under arrest Suma
indicated persons of other nation
ality may be involved.
Il have reason to believe the num-
ber is increasing" he said, adding
without explanation: II don't think
other nationalities are involved for
the moment"
The Japanese press has reported
that some Japanese were under ar
rest, but Suma declined to comment.
Cat the time Suma said this,
reliable reports from Toxic to
Shanghai said total of 13 Brit
ons had been arrested, one of
whom, Melville James Cox, news.
paperman, died after his arrest.
The British press has doubted the
Japanese explanation that Cox
committed suicide by leaping
from window during question:
ing. and British government cir
cles have expressed doubt that
Cox was engaged in espionage. as
charged. Lord Halifax denied the
japanese charge that the British
had an elaborate spy organization
in Japan.
CReuters, the British news
agency, reported from Kobe,
Japan, that the Japanese had re-
leased r. T. Holder, president Of
the British Association at Kobe,
one of the prisoners.)
Denies Britain Sole Target.
Suma said the arrests were not
aimed entirely against the British.
All persons attempting to spy into
military secrets will be dealt with re-
| lentleSSly" (" he said
Funeral services for Mr.. Cox, who.
the japanese said, committed sui
eide while being questioned in con-
nection with alleged espionage ac-
tivities, were conducted at a simple
ceremony today attended by Craigie,
United States Ambassador Joseph C..
Grew and other diplomats and rep
resentatives of the Foreign Office.
Domei, Japanese news agency, also
was represented. Mr.. Cox was cor
respondent for Reuters, British news
agency.
Mr.. Cox's ashes will be sent to
England. Prior to removal of the
body a gendarmerie commander
granted a signal honor, posting q
guard of honor and offering flowers
and incense. in accordance with
japanese custom.
Anti-Espionooe Drive