TIENTSIN DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 262, 3 August 1939, Page 9

TIENTSIN DISPUTE

Current Position Of The Negotiations WARNING TO JAPANESE Near Agreement On Some Points, Commons Told (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 1. The progress so far made in the Tokio negotiations regarding Tientsin was reviewed in the House of Commons by the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. Butler. He said that agreement was nearing completion on certain points connected with police matters, and that these had been reported home for consideration. Further economic and other considerations were part of the future programme. In regard to police matters, he said, they had decided, by accepting the formula, to recognize the situation of fact and agree to maintain an attitude of impartiality in certain day-to-day contacts in a defined area and in certain circumstances. This attitude of recognizing the situation of fact in areas occupied by Japanese troops was the wisest policy in the interest of British nationals and of future British policy in the Far East. There had been certain agitation in North China, most of it organized, they believed, by Japanese. Two British warships had been sent to the Tsingtao area and strong representations had been made to Japan. Japan must appreciate the force of feeling in the House of Commons on this matter. He trusted that they would realize that no negotiations or discussions could prevent the relations between the two countries growing steadily more difficult unless this type of agitation was ended. The Government, he said, in conclusion, stood by the principles of the Nine-Power Treaty and had done more for the Chinese currency than any other Government.