THE BLOCKADE OF TIENTSIN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 224, 20 June 1939, Page 8

THE BLOCKADE OF TIENTSIN

■ Latest reports of the situation at Tientsin indicate a steady tightening of the Japanese blockade and an increasing food shortage which seems likely to create severe hardship to the British residents if continued with its present apparent severity. Positive action by the British Government cannot, in these circumstances, be long delayed. Reprisals, it Is stated, are contemplated, and measures considered appropriate to the situation have been formulated. The only plan likely to be effective, short of war, is the imposition of restrictions on Japanese overseas trade stringent and comprehensive enough to terminate the present episode and clear the way for negotiations aimed at regulating the situation in the future.

Sir Roger Keyes is perfectly right in declaring, as reported today,. that if Britain hesitates humiliation is certain. In the present state of world affairs Britain cannot afford to risk humiliation and loss of prestige. She has retreated too far already before the forces of aggression and, at tremendous expenditure of money and effort, is making a determined effort to recover her initiative and strengthen her influence in world politics. This effort has had an impressive effect in Europe, especially among the smaller'States, and also in the United States. A damaging blow at her prestige in the Far East would undo much of the valuable work accomplished in restoring confidence and courage to the weaker nations, and it will be noticed that already Britain’s rivals in Europe are making the most of the Tientsin affair to encourage the idea that her greatness and power are diminishing. There can be no further retreats. All future challenges must be met.