CALLS FOR LOCAL SETTLEMENT

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

CALLS FOR LOCAL SETTLEMENT

Clarification Of The Dispute MR. CHAMBERLAIN’S ATTITUDE Arbitration On The Original Issue (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 19. The Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, received the Japanese Ambassador and discussed _ the questions at issue in Tientsin. i his interview was referred to by the Prime Minister in an answer in the House of Commons in which he also stated that the British Ambassador was endeavouring at tokio to clarify the situation.

Tn London it is felt that the serious deterioration of Anglo-Japanese relations which seemed to be threatened toward the close of last week was tho result of the introduction of extraneous matters into an original difference on the. textile question between the British and the Japanese in North China, and that’if, as is hoped is the case, there exists a disposition on the Japanese side as much as on the British to clarify the consequent confusion and keep the discussion to simple points of difference, they should be capable of amicable settlement locally.

Mr. Chamberlain's statement was in answer to half a dozen searching questions. He began with a recital of local developments since the blockade began, and added: “On June 15 a crowd gathered by Chinese and Korean agitators collected outside the British concession. A detachment of the Durham Light Infantry was sent to support the British municipal police but later was withdrawn when the mob had been reduced to about 200. “The barrier restrictions at Tientsin continue. All British subjects have been held up at the barriers and rigorously searched, and in some cases subjected to indignity. Tlie entry of perishable foodstuffs and ice into the concession has been delayed by a rigid search carried out at the barriers, and continues, therefore, to be spasmodic. Normal supplies are reported to be reaching the market in the adjoining French concession. General Position Not Clear. -No special arrangements appear to be called for as yet, but further information on the subject is being sought from the authorities on the spot. On the morning of June 18 two British steamers came up the river to Tientsin without stoppage or search. Generally speaking, however, British vessels, including tugs and lighters, have been stopped and searched, by the Japanese military authorities.” After stating that protests had been addressed, by the British Consul-Gen-eral, Mr. Jamieson, to bis Japanese colleague in Tientsin and that Sir Robert Craigie had been instructed to take up these matters with Japan, Mr. Chamberlain went on to inform the House of Britain’s views. He emphasized that the general position was not yet clear, and continued: — “It would appear that the original demand'for handing over four men has been confused by the introduction of the larger issue of policy measures. No formal representations have been received from Japan on this subject, and it is still hoped that a local settlement will be found possible. Britain cannot but believe that Japan shares her own desires not to widen the area of disagreement or render more acute an already difficult situation. At the same time, Britain is fully alive to the reactions of the present dispute on the position in other British and international settlements in China.” Britain, he said, was continuing to keep in the closest touch with France and America. No Right of Arrest. Replying to supplementary questions, the Premier said that the offer to refer the original question of four suspects to an international advisory committee stood, and he assured Mr. Eden that the Government would do whatever was necessary regarding food supplies to the concession. The food shortage in the British concession at Kulangsu was also raised, and Mr. Butler gave similar assurances. Mr. Butler was also asked about a statement attributed to the Japanese spokesman at Shanghai that despite British rights the Japanese reserved the right to take summary action against any foreigner, who, in the Japanese opinion, endangered the safety of the Japanese forces in the occupied areas. He replied: “Lord Halifax lias seen Press reports of the statement in question. Britain does not recognize the right of (lie Japanese to arrest or detain British subjects in any circumstances, and Japan has been left in no doubt of Britain's attitude in the matter.” CRITICISM OF BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY LONDON, June 19. Mr. Herbert Morrison, the Labour M.P.. in a speeeli at. Salisbury, said: “Japan is doing things which must cause predecessors of Mr. Chamberlain to turn in their graves. The difficulties in China are the direct result of the Government’s foreign policy since 1931.”