CLEARING THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 112, 4 February 1933, Page 11

CLEARING THE AIR

Britain and Sino-Japanese Trouble FOREIGN OFFICE DENIALS

Official Wireless Rugby, Feb. 2. An official denial of certain reports which have been circulated In Geneva regarding the British attitude to the Slno-Japanese dispute was issued today by the Foreign Office. There Is no truth whatever, It says, In reports published In some newspapers from their Geneva correspondents that the British delegation is using pressure to secure the deletion of the reference to the non-recognltlon of Manchukuo from the draft report which is being prepared for presentation to the League Assembly.

Another report also current that the Japanese evacuation of Shanghai was partly due to an agreement between Britain and Japan under which Britain, it was represented, undertook to support Japan in Manchuria in return for the evacuation of Shanghai Is equally entirely devoid of truth.

A third report that his Majesty’s Government is working to secure a free hand for Japan in Manchuria in return for a free hand in Tibet for themselves is also flatly denied. The last-mention-ed report was the subject of special mention last night, in which it was stated that a “free hand in Tibet Is not and never has been an ambition of his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, nor of the Government of India, and his Majesty’s Government’s attitude in regard to the Chinese-Japan-ese dispute is not Influenced in any way by considerations affecting Tibet.” Sir John Simon has made it quite plain at Geneva that in the event of conciliation failing, his Majesty’s Government will be prepared to see the Lytton Report adopted. JAPAN AND LEAGUE Withdrawal Possible Tokio, Feb. 2. The Navy, War Council, headed by Prince Fushimi, held a conference today to decide what measures were necessary following Japan’s withdrawal from the League, which, it is feared, will be inevitable on account of the trend of Geneva proceedings.