TOKIO PARLEYS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12821, 16 August 1939, Page 5

TOKIO PARLEYS

DEADLOCK REACHED London, Aug. 14. The Times Tokio correspondent says that Major-General Muto, a Japanese representative at the talks with Britain, in a statement before his departure for Tientsin, points oat that the negotiations were smooth until economic issues arose theoretically then on the grounds that their representatives were consulting London and Paris.

The Britons misunderstood the conference’s purpose. They assumed the blockade of Tientsin was intended to exert pressure, whereas it was military action, due to the need of preserving order in North China. Moreover, the Japanese believed that Britain desired to settle economic issues on a blood and iron basis, instead of by mutual agreement, namely, by an attempt to induce America and France to exert pressure on Japan rather than to secure a negotiated settlement.

Major-General Muto said that the Japanese demands are the absolute minimum. He paid a tribute to Sir Robert Craigie’s efforts, but declared that Britain had failed to understand the Far Eastern situation. She must recognise the realities if she desired to safeguard interests, and reflect on her- awn conduct if she desires the anti-British campaign to end. The Press forecasts an early renewal of conversations. Meanwhile, Sir Robert Craigie is awaiting in-, structions from London.