NO RETALIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 9

NO RETALIATION.

BRITISH INTENTION.

Action Against Japan Not

Likely At Present.

HOUSE or COMMONS CONCERN

(Received 12 noon.)

LONDON, June 21,

Mr. Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, replying to a question in rt gard to Tientsin, said that Britain did not intend immediate retaliation against Japan.

He added that Viscount Halifax asked Mr. Shigemitsu, Japanese Ambassador, to see him to-day in connection with Tientsin incidents. "Doubtless Lord Halifax will make it very clear what we think of these intolerable incidents," said the Frime Minister.

"The Times" says Lord Halifax again protested to the Japanese Ambassador and requested clarification of whether Tokyo regards the Tientsin dispute capable of local settlement.

Several questions relating to the situation in the Far East were put. to the Prime Minister in the House, states a British official wireless message.

Mr. Arthur Greenwood, acting-leader *>f the Labour Opposition, asked whether, in view of what were now becoming repeated acts of aggression, Mr. Chamberlain would consider taking rather stronger action to express Britain's displeasure at the Japanese activities.

In reply, Mr. Chamberlain said the Government viewed the acts referred to with great concern. In the case of Tientsin, whose position was most acute, the Government, of course, was still hoping that it might be possible by negotiations to settle the local issue. If those negotiations should fail, the Government was considering what further steps should be taken.

Sir John ' Wardlaw-Milne (Con., Kidderminster), asked if tho Prime Minister was aware that reports had been current in Japan to the effect that the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, appeared two or three days ago before the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, to sue for mercy. Would Mr. Chamberlain make it dear that there was not a word of truth in thf reports ?

Mr. Chamberlain: Of course on the face of it such a suggestion will at once be seen to be preposterous. Nothing of the kind ever occurred.

Mr. T. J. Noel-Baker (Lab., Derby), asked if it was not becoming increasingly clear that this was a general aggressive attack on all foreign rights in China, anrl that there might be an attempt at domination in the Far hast. The Prime Minister: I hope that will not prove to be the case.

(By special arrangement Servlne, In nddltlon to other special or information. Is used In the compllaltlon of tlip overseas Intelligence P'}^"^ |n d } this 'issue, and all rights Jhereln in AiiMrifWa and New Zealand are reserved.

SuclVbr the cable news or. this is so headed has appeared In Ihe rimes nnd In-, sent to this paper by permlssfisffi It should be that tho opinions are not those of The Times unless expreftedv stated to be eo-J

CHANGE OF FACE.

ATTITUDE AT SWATOW

Japan s Naval Action " Grossly Exaggerated."

PEACE COMMISSION SET UP

United Tress Association.—Copyright.

(Received 12.:50 p.m.) LON DON, June u:i

il|'; Japanese at o apparently climbing down at Nwalow, according to ;i report from the British United I'ross correspondent at Tokyo. He snys the Japa nose Foreign Office spokesman declared that, the .Japanese Navy's actions had been gross Iv nusinterpretod.

1 lie Na\y had merely given the usual tiiendly warnings to foreigners in order to avoid nnneeessaiy incidents in the war zone. Jho Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, had circularised the Powers to this effort, drawing attention to the danger areas. It is stated at Hongkong that (1000 Chinese and 2_» Japanese were killed on tin- Han Uivor in the course of the encirclement of Sivatow.

Following tlieir usual procedure the • lapanese have constituted a Peace Maintenance Commission at Swatow consisting of local Chinese.

A dispatch from Hongkong savs it is officially announced that the naval authorities are advising British shipping firms to resume trading with Swatow forthwith.

A message from Washington says the State Department is apprehensive "of the hastening of a "showdown" with Japan, but is inclined to consider the Swatow incident closed, except as it fits into the general picture of the status of foreign rights in China.

It is learned that Admiral Yarnell. American naval Commander-in-Chief, who refused to withdraw from Swatow. acted with the Administration's full approval.

Four public personages at Tokyo, including Mr. Honda, former Ambassador to Germany, petitioned the Emperor to invoke belligerent rights with the object of cutting off China's munitions.

All but four British and American women resident at Swatow have decidcd

to remain

FULL AGREEMENT.

British And French Defence

Talks.

MEETING AT SINGAPORE

(Received 1t.30 a.m.*

SINtiAPORK, June 23

The defence conference between British and French staff officers has already reached full agreement on the main points of discussion. The rapid progress of the talks is due to thorough preliminary work carried out by the aliied staffs and to the complete accord of the delegates.

The conference i« likely to disband early to allow Admiral-Commander of the China Squadron, Sir Percy Noble, to return to China at the earliest possible moment in view of the threatening situation there.

POLITICAL ANXIETY.

MARKETS OVERSHADOWED

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, June 23

Political anxieties continue to overshadow the markets. It is feared that increasing Japanese activities will embolden the axis in Europe. The Stock Exchange turnover has fallen to negligible levels. It says much for the strength of the technical position that prices arc no worse. Gilt-edged stocks closed fractionally above last week's prices. Dominion issues remain dull. The volume of business 011 the commodity markets has also declined. Trice changes are narrow.

EXTRAVAGANT CLAIM.

JAPANESE AIR FIGHTERS

(Received 12 noon.)

TOKYO, June 23

A communique from Hsingking states that a severe clash occurred between Russians and Japanese on the Manchukuo border.

Eighteen Japanese aeroplanes went aloft and brought down 4!) of l."iO Russian aeroplanes which had crossed the border. I'ivc Japanese machines crashed. The communique adds that over a dozen Soviet aeroplanes had repeatedly crossed the frontier since Monday, bombing various centres in Manchukuo. Protests were ignored.

The Manchukuo Government has protested against Russo-Mongojian aerial activities.