IN connection with the an- nouncement that the British Naval Maintenance Party has been withdrawn from Weihaiwei and all stores of the Naval Depot have been shipped to Hong Kong for use elsewhere, it is recalled that the British Government last month notified the Japanese Government that it reserved its rights in the island of Liukungtao in the Bay of Weihaiwei and refuted allega- tions that British rights had lapsed.

This followed a Japanese landing at Liukungtao. It was stated in London that the island had no strategic im- portance and was only used during the winter, says Reuter.

The announcement in London at that time added that irrespective of any question of a Japanese landing the British authorities were about to with- draw the personnel and stores from the Naval Depot for use elsewhere. In the present Far Eastern situation Japanese action regarding Liukungtao should not be allowed to become a subject of differ- ences between Britain and Japan. 

tension existed here .ast month after

a force of Japanese marines and Chinese sailors numbering about 60, brought from Tsingtao in a Japanese cruiser, landed on the island in order to "take over the adminis- tration." The landing was elected on Oct. 1, the date on which the new ten-year lease granted to Britain by the Chungking Govern- ment became effective,

Notices were posted in various parts of the island stating that "British interests having terminated on Sept. 30. 1940. the Japanese Navy will hereafter take over and administer the island for military necessity."

It was rumoured at that time that the Japane requested the removal of all pro- perty of the British naval authorities. This consisted mainly of a hospital, canteen, re- pairing pier and naval workshops. The only British naval personnel on the island was Surgeon-Commander Pomphret, whose wife also was there.

TRAINING CENTRE

Early last month several Japanese warships anchored off the island. Although there was some uneasiness mong residents of Weihaiwel, due to the presence of the vessels, it was stated in British naval circles that the mainland opposite Weihaiwel was being used at a train- ing centre for the new Chinese navy of the Nanking regime, and the Japanese warships might have been sent to assist in the training.

It was further recalled that the Nanking regime announced it had informed the British Government that it did not recognize the Chungking Government's right to lease the island and would consider that Britain was infringing China's territorial integrity if the island was not evacuated.

In Chungking the Chinese military spokes- man, when questioned about a possible at- tempt by the Japanese to seize Weihaiwei, stated that the responsibility would rest with Britain because China had renewed the lease on the island for ten more years.

Weihaiwei was under British control for more than 30 years before its retrocession to China in 1930.