POWERS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 55, 29 November 1937, Page 11

POWERS CONFER

Safeguarding Rights In Shanghai

JAPAN’S INTENTIONS

Control Of International Settlement SERVICES TAKEN OVER By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright (Received November 28, 8.30 p.m.) London, November 27. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says discussions are proceeding in London, Paris and Washington concerning Shanghai. It is expeOted an agreement will bo reached quickly in the form of international representations to Japan with a view to safeguarding the rights of foreign nations tinder international agreements with China. Sir Robert Craigie, the British Ambassador at Tokio, has been instructed to make it perfectly clear to tho Japanese that Britain must be consulted in any arrangements concerning the Chinese Customs at Shanghai. The Shanghai correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Japanese to-day took over the Chinese post office an'd telegraph services and also the Government-owned wireless station.

Apprehension is growing after a persistent, unconfirmed rumour that Japan is to occupy the entire' International Settlement on December 1.

The Japanese continue to press their right to enter the Settlement from south of Soochow Creek. Troops seized the pontoon dock opposite the Bund used by Jardine and Matheson, the largest English firm in the Ear East, and hoisted the Japanese flag.

Apparently portending a severe bombing attack on Chinkiang, the Japanese advised British ships to regard it "as dangerous. The British Charge d’Affaires, Mr. R. G. Howe, arrived at Hangkow on board the gunboat Bee with the majority of the Embassy staff from Nanking The Japanese, following the capture of Wusing and Ihing, are almost within artillery range of Nanking, but General Chiang Kai-shek’s troops are preparing a desperate resistance with 12 divisions manning the adjacent defences, besides 40,000 Szechwan troop* garrisoning the city, which, however, is suffering from an acute shortage of food.

A Tokio message says the Japanese combined fleet in Chinese waters has been ordered to return home to its ports. The Navy Office stated that this is necessary in order to meet spectacular developments in the land operations tn the Shanghai area and to take on fresh supplies and reinforce the manpower.

Changshing is reported to hare fallen. PRESSED BY JAPAN Shanghai International Council (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 26. Replying to questions in the House of Commons, Lord Cranborne, Foreign Under-Secretary, said he understood the Council of the International Settlement at 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 Chinese Government offices, the removal of officials, and the suppression of the Chinese Press and the postal censorship. Britain had not been consulted as to the course to be pursued by the British members of the municipal authority. It was not within the council’s power, he said, to deport people except by legal process, and he had no information that the council bad removed any Chinese officials. The authority of the municipal administration was derived from the land regulations, by which powers to keep good order and for 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 it would be proper for him to assume such an interpretation in advance of the council. POWERS’ CONCERN Representations Made To Tokio (Received November 28, 9.15 p.m.) Washington, November 27. The United States, acting simultaneously with Britain and France and possibly other countries, made representations to Tokio expressing concern at Japan’s taking over the Chinese Customs organisation at Shanghai. It is not disclosed whether this is connected with a conference between President Roosevelt and M. Troyanovsky, the Soviet Ambassador, to-day. ’The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, at a Press conference, explained that the United States was greatly concerned at the possible impairment of the integrity of the Chinese Customs service because a considerable part of its revenues were earmarked for foreign debts. MAY RESORT TO FORCE Japan And Internationa] Settlement (Received November 28, 7.30 p.m.) Tokio, November 27. The “Asahi Shimbun” declares that the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye told Japanese pressmen yesterday that “as regards the Shanghai International Settlement issue Japan may ■ find it necessary to resort to force. Everything depends on the attitude of the other party concerned.” The “Asahi” goes on to report Prince Konoye as saying that, since the NinePower Pact is a pretext for the Powers to Intervene in Ear Eastern affairs,

Japan will propose either the revision or denunciation of the pact at a proper opportunity.

He is said to have added : “As it was made clear several years ago, Japan does not admit European or American intervention in the Far East. We should hare resorted to this step long before” (meaning the revision or denunciation of the Nine-Power Pact). Prince Konoye reiterated that if Nanking and General Chiang Kai-shek make a volte face on their antiJapanese policy Japan will be ready to respond, but if China is resolved to prolong hostilities Japan will accept the challenge. Any future change in the situation might necessitate a declaration of war. Prince Konoye hinted that a new administration is likely to be organised in north China in January. RAILWAY BOMBED Preventing Munitions Reaching China (Received November 28, 9.30 p.m.) Hong-Kong, November 27. In the hope of preventing the transport of munitions to China, 20 Japanese planes dropped more than 100 bombs on (.he Canton-Kowloon railway. Hundreds of feet of the track were torn up, necessitating the suspension of the service for two days. HONAN PROVINCE Autonomous Government Inaugurated (Received November 28, 9.30 p.m.) Tokio, November 28. “An autonomous government in the Honan province separated from Nanking,” has been inaugudrated by General Hsiao Juiclien, divisional eomman-. der under Marshal Wu Pei-fu, who wife sworn in as chief'executive in the presence of 5000 delegates from the “Peace Maintenance Commissions.” General Hsiao stated that the Government was established in order to save the people of the province and establish lasting peace in the Far East.