RETALIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 140, 16 June 1939, Page 7

RETALIATION.

BRITISH SUGGESTION.

Experts Examine Economic Possibilities.

JAPAN WILL HIT BACK

United I'irss Association.—Copyright

(Received l].:;o a.m.) LONDON. June 15. Board of Trade experts have submitted to the Foreign Office proposals I'm- economic retaliation against ■Japan. The (.'overnment is unwilling to adopt drastic action until other methods have been exhausted.

It Js Mi»{.,.sti.il. says the "Daily Mail," that in addition to impo-iii". penal duties on Japanese -oods. stepmay be taken io prevent Japanese, ships from u.sjiijj British ports. The Dominion Hijjh Commissioners ciiufeired with the Dominions Secretary. Sir Thomas liiskip. at the Dominions Oliice on action the limcniinciit is eonto protect its interests at Tientsin and North China. It is continued thai, the Board of Trade has asked for a report of what reprisal measures could be taken. Constant communication is heinji maintained between Britain. France and America, and the Dominions.

'"The 'limes"' Tokyo correspondent says the Japanese I , less declares that in the event of economic reprisals Japaji ciin effectively retaliate and cause Britain to suffer more than Japan. The spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office in Tokyo said: "In the event of British retaliation over Tientsin, the Japanese attitude will be stiffened, thereby increasing the gravity of the situation." A naval spokesman said the Navy was not yet involved, but was ready should it he necessary. The '-llochi Nhiinbim." Tokyo, ililvocnt:'* thai hod should be prevenied from ••nicrinji the concession, which should he taken over on behalf ot the new China.

The "Asalli Shimbnn" declares: "The world knows Britain and Russia are plotting ajrainst .lapan. The Tientsin issue is of minor importance' . At the conclusion of a three-day conference Japanese military and naval representatives decided to continue the blockade until Britain radically revises her pro-Chiang Kai-shek and ant i.la pa nose policies. They will reject a patched-up compromise. Tension lias risen in Tientsin as the result of reports that r>o.ooo members of the Japanese colony there and 2.">(Hl Japanese reservists are planning , a "peace-fill invasion" of the British concession tor Saturday to visit the graves of Japanese soldiers "who died in protecting Tientsin and Peking" in the. 1!MN) Boxer rising, says a ;nessage from Tientsin. Little dotibt is felt that the Japanese intend to provoke trouble, but apparently the British authorities have no power to prevent their entry unless there is actual disorder.