THE FAR EAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 238, 16 July 1940, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

BURMA ARMS ROUTE QUESTION.

CHINESE OPPOSE CONCESSION;

DANGER TO BRITISH LANDS

(United Press Association.—Copyright J LONDON, July 15.

A Chungking message says that the official “Central Daily News” strongly criticised Britain’s appeasement regarding Burma and gave a "warning that if Britain accepted the Japanese demands, Japan would shortly invade Burma and India.

It emphasised that Japan was merely bluffing and urged Mr Churchill to avoid falling into a trap. Itpointed out the necessity for Britain to uphold lier prestige. A Shanghai report says that the Japanese Navy has notified foreign Consulates that from midnight to-day the Japanese will begin military operations in the Ningpo and Wenchow sectors, in the Chekiang Province. They reserve all rights to detain any vessels and will not assume responsibility for damage to foreign property. This is interpreted as another effort to cut off supplies for the Chungking Government. .' - > .

A special correspondent from Amoy of the Tokio newspaper “Asahij” reported that the British residents of the Kulangsu International Settlement had completed preparations to evacuate to Manila in the event of the “worst’’ British-Japanese relations...

From Vichy it was officially announced that France had begun direct negotiations with Japan regarding shipments of material to the Chinese Government across Indo-China. Japan had not occupied any part of Indo-China, and France was following her own Far East policy, which was independent of, hut closely parallel to, those of Britain and America. ' ' ‘ >

THE CONVERSATIONS AT TOKIO.

MATTER OF POLICY NOT RAISED.

(Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, July 15.

It is learned here that the question of a ISino-Japanese peace or any revision of British policy in relation to Japan was not raised in the discussions at Tokio. The Government is conducting negotiations, through Sir Robert Craigie (British Ambassador), with Mr Arita (Japanese Foreign Minister) touching restriction of traffic on tho Burma road as a temporary measure, possibly for three months, in which it may be hoped that progress can be achieved with a view to the statement of the wider issues in the Far East.

The statement by the Acting-Gover-nor of the Straits Settlements was made without the knowledge of the Foreign Office. The.pqlicy of the British Government regarding the Far East is contained in utterances from Londpit from time to time.

AN OPINION FROM SINGAPORE.

SINGAPORE, July 14

Mr S. W. Jones (Acting-Governor of the Straits Settlements) broadcasting said the British Government was at present discussing, certain Japanese proposals regarding the Chinese-Japan-ese war.

He added: “Believing that the Chinese and Japanese peoples desire an honourable peace, the British Government will go to the. greatest lengths to avoid seconding or prolonging the war in the Far East. Britain must be allowed to concentrate on the struggle against Hitler’s Germany until that struggle is won, even if the causes she has at heart must be sacrificed for a while'.”

BRAWL IN SHANGHAI CAFE AMERICANS AND JAPANESE. SHANGHAI, July 15. Three United States marines and several Japanese civilians engaged in a fight, in which beer bottles were thrown, in a Japanese-owned cafe last night. An official at the Japanese Embassy said intoxication on both sides was responsible. The ease would probably not be regarded as a serious one. EMPEROR TO REVIEW FLEET, TOKIO, July 15. ; It ..is. announced that- the Emperor, on board the battleship Nagato, will review the combined fleet off Yokosuka on July 18. EN ROUTE TO FRANCE. GENERAL MITTELHAUSER. (Received This Dav, 9.40 a.m.) ROME, July 15. General Mittelhauser (French Com-mander-in-Cliief in Syria) arrived by air and immediately took off for an undisclosed destination. It is authoritatively stated that he is en route to France.