THREAT TO END TALKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 263, 4 August 1939, Page 9

THREAT TO END TALKS

British Firmness In Tokio JAPANESE PROMISE UNFULFILLED Continuance Of The AntiBritish Disorders By Tel«?gmph.—Preset Assil —-Copyright. LONDON, August 2. It is reliably stated in official circles in London that t eports that the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Craigie, had made a threat to end the negotiations on the Tientsin dispute is not a fabrication. It is pointed out that the agreement between Sir Robert Craigie and the Japanese Foreign Minister. Mr. Arita, which is the basis of the negotiations, provides that Japan shall maintain order in the occupied areas. The continuance of disorders shows that Japan is either unwilling or unable to fuffil that obligation. An official spokesman in Tokio subsequently denied the report that Sir Robert Craigie had informed the Japanese diplomat, Mr. Kato, that unless anti-Britisli demonstrations stopped it would be difficult for the British to continue conversations. . The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” states that officials excuse Government inactivity on the ground that the anti-British movement in Tokio, though noisy, is not dangerous. A Tokio message states that the mayor of Peking rejected the British protest against demonstrations, declaring that they were inevitable, but that public feeling will be moderated if Britain reconsiders her position in the Far East. Peking reports that anti-Britisli picket corps are resorting Io direct intimidation of Chinese employed by Britons. The bulk of the Chinese are friendly, but the activities of agitators who are supported by the military, may result in serious incidents. The British authorities are again protesting. In Tientsin the anti-British movement has moderated somewhat. FURTHER VIGOROUS PROTEST Concern At Continued Agitation (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 2. The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, stated in the House of Commons that the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Craigie, had been instructed to enter a further vigorous protest against the continuation of anti-Brit-ish agitation in North China. He also assured memtiers that the Government was maintaining contact with France and America. Mr. Chamberlain said that no decision had been reached regarding the handing over of the four Chinese held in Tientsin. Surprise and concern are expressed in London at the continuance of antiBritish agitation in the Japanese-occu-pied areas in China. The formula upon which the Tokio negotiations were opened was accepted on the undertaking that order in these areas would be maintained. Such demonstrations imply a negation of order. If the Japanese are unable to carry out their guarantee, it is felt here that it should not have been given. On the other hand, if, as is believed, it lies within Japan’s power to suppress these agitations, they should at once be put down. The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, asked if support of the Chinese currency had come under discussion in the Tokio conversations, replied: “The conversations at present proceeding in Tokio are confined to local issues in Tientsin.” < Maintain Stability. Intervening in a reply to supplementary questions, which included a direct appeal to him to give a pledge that the Government would not consent to delegalization of the Chinese currency, the Prime Minister recalled bis full statement on the Far East in last Monday’s debate and declined to go beyond that. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Oliver Stanley, recalled in the House that, as he had stated on March 6 and repeated on July 14, a proposal to give financial assistance for the benefit of British manufacturers in respect of exports to China had been under consideration for some time. Certain technical and legal questions were still under consideration. This statement followed the assurance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Anglo-Japanese formula did not imply any change jn Britain’s views as to the desirability of maintaining the stability of the Chinese currency in the interests of Britain and other countries which have important financial trade interests in China. “The Times” says that, these statements, although containing nothing new, show again Britain’s determination not to chaiige her policy toward China while seeking with no lack of goodwill to establish a working ar- ! rangement with the Japanese soldiers in North China. Information, “The Times” adds, is being exchanged on the subject with several countries, including America, France, and the British Dominions. When these exchanges are complete it may be anticipated that further instructions will be sent to Sir Robert Craigie for his guidance in the Tokio negotiations. BISHOP WARNED TO LEAVE i Received August 3, 7.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, August 2. The Bishop of Shantung and two other members of his mission have been I warned to leave Taint! within 24 hours.