OBLIGATION ON JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 256, 27 July 1939, Page 9

OBLIGATION ON JAPANESE

Preventing The AntiBritish Campaign ! CLEAR DISTINCTION DRAWN “The Times” Comments On Tokio Bargain (British Official Wlreleae.J RUGBY. July 25. “The Times,” in a leader on the recognition of British neutrality as revealed in the preliminary AngloJapanese agreement, says Britain s attitude falls into line with that already adopted by America, France, and other countries with large interests in China. A great deal depends on how the instructions duly communicated to the British local authorities in _ China can be translated into practice. . “Britain draws a clear distinction between the local attitude which is to be adopted in the region, of hostilities and Britain’s general policy toward China,” comments “The Times.” “Mr. Chamberlain emphatically declared in an answer in the House of Commons,” continues “The Times,” “that the new agreement did not connote any change whatever in British policy in China, but the Government has clearly acceded to I lie Japanese suggestion that it should endeavour Jo regard the Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japan’s difficulties and the Japanese side of the case. “This is already being done by other Powers in the Far East, but the British concessions, partly by choice, partly by accident, and partly- by Japanese design, have come to be regarded as pro-Chinese strongholds in Japanese-occupied territory. Pretext Removed. “Baffled in their hopes of final and complete victorj’ after so many successes in tlie field, the Japanese authorities, military and civilian alike, have attempted to throw the responsibility for their failure on to Britain. “The attitude which is now- prescribed for British residents should remove this pretext of British obstruction. although.it may be suggested that the real obstacle to the achievement of the Japanese purpose is the undying spirit of independence of the Chinese army, which is heroically led by General Chiang Kai-shek and shows no sign of yielding. "But the hope may also lie entertained that the Japanese, on their side, will show proof that they mean to keep the agreement in the spirit as well as in the letter of it by calling off tiie unscrupulous anti-British campaigns Which they have organized both in China and Japan. “It is obvious that an obligation of honour is on the Japanese now to prevent the campaigns if British residents are to carry- out their part of the new bargain, and if the Tokio negotiations are to be carried on with any prospect of success.” TIRADE DIPLOMACY OF JAPAN Improved Basis Of Talks (British Official Wireless.; (Received July 26. 7.5 p.m.) ' RUGBY, July 25. The “Daily Telegraph” (Independent Conservative), in an editorial, says that the Japanese demand for recognition of their de facto power in certain areas in China and of their military efforts to extend that power is fully covered in an agreed formula. “On the other hand, there is no indication in the formula that the policy hitherto pursued in the face of violent Japanese criticism by the British Government is in any way abandoned, it states. _ _ “Claims have been made in Lokio that a resounding triumph has beer, scored for the new order in Asia, and the Berlin Press has gleefully emphasized the supposed humiliation of Britain. These are unfortunate but inevitable examples of the new technique of diplomacy by tirade, overlapping the sober negotiations. “From the Japanese Press and spokesmen of the army it appears that various suggestions have been put forward in the negotiations which would certainly be unacceptable to Britain. Abandonment of the Chinese currency, withdrawal of the British Ambassador to China, stoppage of supplies sent through Burma, and recognition of the puppet administration, are among the proposals which some of Japan’s rnili (ary politicians seem to have wished Mr. Arita to import into the negotia tions on Tientsin. “From Mr. Chamberlain’s statement that the forthcoming discussions will be confined to the local issues in Tientsin, it may be assumed that if such schemes had been brought forward they have been dropped, and will not be revived.”