BRITAIN AND JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22795, 22 August 1939, Page 9

BRITAIN AND JAPAN

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED SUSPENSION OF TALKS IN TOKYO (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received August 21, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. The Foreign Office has issued the following statement clarifying, the position reached in the Tokyo talks. “On June 27, as a result of an exchange , of views between Britain and Japan, it was agreed that conversations should take place in Tokyo in order to effect a settlement of various questions relating to the present conditions in Tientsin. As announced by the Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) in the House of Commons on July 24, preliminary conversations between the British Ambassador (Sir Robert Craigie) and the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr H. Arita) began on July 15. At the outset of the discussion, japan expressed the opinion that if progress were to be made in the removal of misunderstandings and the establishment of better relations, it was essential to recognise the background against which the situation in Tientsin should be viewed. “In order to meet this view, Britain agreed upon the following formula: ‘Britain fully recognises the actual situation in China, where large-scale hostilities are in progress, and notes that so long as that state of affairs continues to exist, Japan’s forces in China hav & . special requirements for the purpose of safeguarding their own security and maintaining public order i the regions under their control, and that they have to suppress or remove any such acts or causes as will obstruct them or benefit their enemy.’ Advice to Nationals “Britain has no intention to counter any act or measures prejudicial to the attainment of these objects by the Japanese forces, and Britain will take this opportunity to confirm its policy by making it plain to the British authorities and British nationals in China that they should refrain from such acts or measures.

“On the same day, conversations were begun in Tokyo between Britain and Japan, and certain proposals were put forward by Japan as a basis for discussion. The majority of these proposals refer to police matters and provide for closer cooperation between the authorities of the British concession in Tientsin and the Japanese army of occupation in North China for the purposes of suppressing terrorist acts and maintaining law and order, and inasmuch as these proposals do not affect the administrative integrity of the concession and generaUy conform with the practice already in force at Shanghai, Britain has now made considerable progress towards an agreement subject to a . final settlement on certain points of detail. .

.. “In addition to proposals on police matters, Japan put forward certain proposals which included the enforcement by the British authorities of the regulations prohibiting the use of the Chinese national currency within the concession, and the removal of certain silver reserves from the concession in Tientsin and from the diplomatic quarter at Peiping. It was at once apparent to Britain that the scope of these proposals was not confined to purely local issues in Tientsin, arid' that they were related to other economic financial features of the present situation in North China, including certain measures of restriction placed , upon exchange and trade, on which the views, not only of Britain, but of certain other governments had already been communicated to Japan. Position of Third Powers “It also became clear as a result of a careful scrutiny of the position that Britain could not, even if she wished, conclude a bilateral agreement which might affect the position of other Powers without the consent of those Powers. For, this reason Britain has come to the conclusion that it cannot, by itself, properly put forward or accept any proposals on- matters of this nature which might prejudice the interests of third parties, and Britain, there- 1 fore, has intimated to Japan that no discussions on the economic proposals put forward by Japan can, in its view, lead to any useful result on a purely British-Japanese basis. “Britain, however, has expressed willingness to examine the position afresh, provided the interests of all parties can be safeguarded.” ‘Tor this purpose it would presumably be necessary for both Governmerits to consult with and have regard to the views of third parties. Britain has indicated to Japan that it has no desire to shelve the ques- ] tions which have been raised, and it , realises that these matters will re- ( quire to be fully discussed in any ultimate settlement of the present dispute in China. Britain has already \ made it clear in the Note to Japan > of January 14 ‘ that it does not re- > gard treaties as eternal, and. that it < is prepared .to consider any con- i structive proposals which Japan may have to make regarding the 3 modification of existing treaties. '■ “Britain considers it essential, ■ however, that all parties to the Nine- : Power and other treaties which govern the situation in China shall be enabled at the appropriate time to express their views and make a contribution to the settlement, which should be equitable for all concerned.” SHOOTING INCIDENT AT SHANGHAI CHINESE . ATTACK BRITISH PATROL SHANGHAI. August 20. A squad of Japanese-controlled Chinese, police ‘fired on a British patrol commanded by Sergeant Kinloth, who was slightly wounded. The sergeant ordered the fire to be returned, orie Chinese being- killed and-three wounded.