BRITISH POLICY ALTERED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 9

BRITISH POLICY ALTERED

Belief Among Chinese Leaders AGREEMENT AT THEIR EXPENSE (Independent Cable Service.) CHUNGKING. July 26. . Despite General Chiang Kaishek’s statement that he did not believe Britain was altering her policy toward China, there is a definite feeling in Chinese Government circles that Britain has “sold out” China in an effort to prevent Japan ruining her interests there. This is likely to result in outbreaks of anti-British feeling which will be seized on by Japanese agents. DR. KOO’S REPROACH Apparent Policy May Prove Boomerang PARIS, July 26. Dr. Wellington Koo, the. Chinese politiean and diplomatist, said: “Despite Mr. Chamberlain’s references to intolerable insults, it seems that Britain has again bowed to force and swallowed her pride. One wonders at the complacence with which Britain has abandoned the firm stand she took up at the beginning of the Tientsin episode.

“This cannot be expected to deter aggressors and promote confidence in Britain’s efforts to build up the peace front in Europe. The apparent disposition to tolerate aggression in the Far East may soon prove a boomerang. The agreement is clearly unreconcilable with the Nine-Power Treaty covenant." NO WEAKENING BY BRITAIN Hong Kong Governor’s Declaration (Received July 28, 12.10 a.m.) HONG KONG, July 27. The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Geoffrey Northcote, told the Legislative Council that there was no ground for the sedulously fostered belief that the Tokio agreement foreshadowed a weakening of British policy in China. The council unanimously passed a Bill providing for compulsory service by all British citizens. Major-General Grasett, Cornmauder-in-Chief in Houg Kong, in a statement sail: “Those ill-disposed toward us arc circulating entirely false rumours that we will not defend Hong Kong. Maybe this fortress will be attacked. If so we will defend the colony to the last man." TALKS ON TIENTSIN Questions Of Fact-Finding (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 26. Regarding the Anglo-Japanese negotiations, the Prime Minister, Mr. Cham berlain, told the Mouse of Commons that the meetings so far dealt only with questions of procedure and fact-find-ing. FIERCE OFFENSIVE Japanese Ci aim To Have Trapped Chinese TOKIO, July 20. The Japanese north of Hankow claim to have trapped 3-1,000 Chinese as a result of a fierce offensive iaunched on July 25, supported by aircraft. The Japanese, are advancing along the Peking-Hankow railway, and basing their operations on Sinyang, 100 miles north of Hankow, A second force is manoeuvring in order to cut off the Chinese retreat.