SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ATTACKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 9

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ATTACKS

United States Declares Its Concern (Received June 20, 10.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 19. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, yesterday made a statement to the Press concerning the Tientsin situation, which is interpreted to mean that the United States will resist any Japanese attempt to drive a wedge between British and American interests in the Far East. "The Government is not concerned with the original incident relating to the request for the delivery of the four Chinese,” Mr. Hull said. “It is concerned, however, with the nature and significance of subsequent developments in their broader aspects, coupled with other past and present acts and utterances in other parts of China. The Government is therefore observing with special interest the devolpments as they occur from day to day.” The New York “Times,” in an editorial today, refers to the Japanese garrison commander’s insolent announcement that the pressure will be increased till the British concession in Tientsin collapses. It adds: “Mr. Hull’s statement is timely. An unimportant incident has deliberately been made the occasion for a direct challenge to the whole structure of British treaty rights. As a nation with her own treaties intended to safeguard substantial interests, we are bound to be concerned with the method and objective of the Japanese attack and the implications it holds for us.” The Washington correspondent of the New York “Times” says the State Department has exercised great care since the Tientsin trouble started to maintain a position in which it can act as the arbitrator if a friendly solution appears possible. RUNNING THE TRADE BLOCKADE Japan Asks For Apology TOKIO, June 19. Japan has protested to the British naval authorities against the action of H.M.S. Scarab in forcibly landing goods at Wuhu, on the Yangtze-Kiang. An apology is demanded. It is alleged that the crew of the Scarab pointed machine-guns at Japanese officers and men. The Domei news agency declares that only the patience of the Japanese soldiers prevented bloodshed. SHANGHAI-ROME RADIO TOK JO, .June 19. A direct wireless service has been inaugurated between Shanghai and Rome.