PACT MAY BE DENOUNCED

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22262, 29 November 1937, Page 11

PACT MAY BE DENOUNCED

JAPANESE ATTITUDE AWAITING FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY READY TO ACCEPT CHINA'S CHALLENGE (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COI'VKIUIIT.) (Received November 28, 9.30 p.m.) TOKYO, November 27. The newspaper "Asahi" reports the Prime Minister of Japan (Prince Konoye) as saying that since the Nine-Power Pact is the pretext for the intervention of the powers in Far-Eastern affairs, Japan will propose either the revision or the denunciation of the pact at a proper opportunity. I "It was made clear several years ago that Japan does not admit European or American intervention in the Far East," he said. "We should have resorted to this step long ago." Prince Konoye reiterated that if the Nanking Government and Marshal Chiang Kai-shek made a volte face on China's anti-Japanese policy, Japan would be ready to respond, but if China was resolved to prolong hostilities Japan would accept the challenge. Any future change in the situation might necessitate a declaration of war. Prince Konoye hinted that a new administration was likely to be organised in North China in January. BRITISH INTERESTS AT SHANGHAI POWERS OF MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY REPLY TO QUESTIONS IN COMMONS (BRITISH OfKICI.IL WIIIKMSSB.) (Received November 28, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, November 26.In replying to questions in the House of Commons, the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord Cranborne) said that he understood that the Council of the International Settlement in Shanghai was being pressed by the Japanese authorities to take action in matters such as the suspension of broadcasting and other Chinese activities, the closing of the Chinese Government offices, and the removal of officials, the suppression of the Chinese newspapers, and a postal censorship. Britain had not been consulted about the course to be pursued by the British members of the municipal authority. It was not within the council's power to deport people by a legal process, and he had no information that the council had removed any Chinese official. The authority of the municipal administration v/as derived from the land regulations, by which powers to keep good order and the government of the settlement were delegated to it by China. The precise extent of those powers was a matter for interpretation, which was in the first place the council's responsibility. He did not think that it would be proper for him to assume such an interpretation in advance of the council. THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT JAPANESE OCCUPATION THOUGHT IMMINENT BOMBING OF CHANGCHOW LONDON, November 26. Apprehension is growing, after persistent but unconfirmed rumours, that Japan will occupy the entire International Settlement on December 1.

The Japanese continue to press on. It is expected that they will enter the Settlement from the south of Soochow creek. Their troops seized the pontoon dock opposite the Bund used by Jardine and Matheson, the largest English firm in the Far East, and hoisted the Japanese flag. The Japanese commander, General Matsui, told the newspaper representatives that unless the Chinese resistance ceased the Japanese would march up the Yangtse Valley to the heart of China. . "We are preparing decisive drives westward, and unless the Chinese reconsider their attitude we will advance successfully to Nanking and Hankow, even to Chunkiang," he added. Japanese aeroplanes heavily bombed Changchow. The column operating on the southern shores of Lake Taihu is now 18 miles west of Wushing. The forces north of the lake are preparing to advance on Changchow.