CONFLICT OF VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 261, 2 August 1939, Page 9

CONFLICT OF VIEWS

Tokio Negotiations’ New Phase CHINESE CURRENCY; IN DISPUTE Britain Bound To Refuse - Japanese Demand By Telegraph.—Press Ass-u.—Copyright. LONDON, July 31. The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” states that the AngloJapanese negotiations have reached a phase of conflict. The Japanese insistence that Britain shall prohibit the circulation of Chinese currency in Tientsin is aimed at discouraging the Chinese in replacing their currency throughout North China by the yen. Britain, however, is bound to neutrality and cannot make the Chinese currency illegal. A Tokio communique states that at this afternoon’s conference the question of the maintenance of peace and order in Tientsin was discussed, and some points of proposals to this end were referred to a joint sub-committee for a report. A message from Chungking states that public bodies have cabled to the British Prime Minister urging the suspension of the Tokio conference and the abrogation of the AngloJapanese commercial treaty. They have also congratulated President Roosevelt on his abrogation of the American-Japanese trade pact. “The Times” says that a clear analysis of the Government’s policy to China which has been sent to the British Ambassador to transmit to General Chiang Kai-shek shows that Britain’s attempt to face the facts in North China does not mean that China is being let down. The Japanese currency demands cannot be accepted. France fully appreciates the British difficulties and the magnitude of the economic and strategical issues involved. TALKS ADJOURNED No Decision Reached (Received August 1,11.50 p.m.) TOKIO, August 1. The economic subcommittee met for two hours and adjourned this afternoon without a decision having been reached.