BRITAIN'S TIMELY WARNING TO JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1938, Page 7

BRITAIN'S TIMELY WARNING TO JAPAN.

THREATS RESENTED.

Adequate Consideration of Rights Demanded. FIRM ATTITUDE TAKEN. . United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 28. Coinciding with Viscount Halifax's warning to Japan in the House of Lords, "The Times," in a leader, says: "Japan's position is such that she cannot safely continue indefinitely to flout the interests of third parties. "There is internal trouble in Manchuria, tension on the Russian frontier and the economic situation at home persists in a slow, inevitable decline which no predictable development can arrest within the next few years.

"Japan's threats to Britain are partly accidental, partly instinctive, and partly deliberate, and Lord Halifax's warning is timely."

In his speech in the House of Lords, Lord Halitax referred to the situation in the Far East, according to a British official wireless message, and said that during the last year events had been happening there that had deceived the hopes of those who had looked for a better era in the history of the world.

By passing certain resolutions the League of Nations had succeeded in fixing judgment on the conflict. The Nine-Power conference at Brussels was not in agreement on the question of intervention in the quarrel.

There was, however, the other aspect, proceeded ''Lord Halifax. It was true that Britain, for over a century, had many interests in China. Japan claimed that the action she was taking was in defence of her interests, and Britain claimed she had the right to protect British interests. The Government accepted its responsibilities in China and had every intention of discharging them.

"We are quite ready to consider, and are considering, possible action open to us if we do not secure adequate consideration of our own rights," said Lord Halifax. These matters at present were under discussion between the British Ambassador to Japan, Sir Robert Craigie. and the Japanese Minister of War, ' Lieut.-General Itagaki, but as those discussions had not been concluded the House would be informed of the result at the earliest possible moment.

Regarding Japan's action at Tsingtao, Lord Halifax said the Government was satisfied that there had been discrimination, and Sir Robert Craigie had made strong representations. Japan had p" an assurance that she would not p! any unnecessary obstacles in the way of British trade in those parts of China occupied by the Japanese.