BRITISH PROPOSALS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1927, Page 9

BRITISH PROPOSALS

ATTITUDE OF POWERS

MISSTATEMENTS DENIED

The French-Government's refusal to associate itself with a collective declaration by the Powers to the Chinese people in the sense and in the manner proposed by the British Memorandum lias aroused a good deal of surprise and disappointment in British official circles where, however, the view finds expression that the refusal need not bo regarded as definite, as it suggests rather hesitancy and postponement than a linn decision, slated the diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" early in January: This optimistic interpretation might eventually be justified, were Japan to alter her present attitude towards the British Memorandum, once the London and Washington Governments, as seems likely to happen, had agreed upon an immediate programme, to be given immediate effect by Great Britain and the United States and such Treaty Powers as were willing to follow their lead.

For there is no doubt that Washington, in this matter, is prepared to endorse the major portion of the British Memorandum, though possibly not the whole of it. Washington also" expresses the hope that Japan will agree to join in a Tripartite negotiation on the subject. But whether this signifies that, in the event of Japan's ultimate, refusal to associate herself with an Anglo-American move, Washington would still agree to go forward witli Great Britain is probable, but not certain. Of any material change in Japan's attitude, however, there would

juncture, ana whether France would j consent to part company with Japan, is | doubtful at the best. Paris, I gather, is not too pleased with Belgium, and in particular with M. Vandervelde, for the prompt blessing which, without awaiting France's decision; they have given to the British Memorandum. Lisbon will doubtless follow the example of Brussels, Will Rome and The Hague? j FRENCH REFUSAL. "With the substance and main reasons of the French refusal it is indeed impossible to quarrel in the case of those who do not hold that the best way of dealing with Oriental and Bolshevik aggressiveness and treaty-breaking is a tame acquiescence. France, who pursued this policy in Turkey and has consequently lost her influence and material interests there, has evidently profited by the lesson, and is reluctant to repeat her mistake. The analogy has apparently been lost upon such British diplomats as to-day favour the adoption of a similarly weak, though fortunately more simple-minded policy toward China. So far as the remarkable semi-official and other inspired statements published in Paris criticising the - British Memorandum are concerned, strong exception is taken in British circles to some of the points made, several of which are held to misrepresent the actual, position. For instance, it is pointed out that the British. Memorandum did not propose to grant official recognition either to the Canton "Government" or to any of its rivals. Nor is it correct to suggest that the French Government was only placed in possession of the Memorandum simultaneously with its publication. . The French Minister at Pekin -received a copy on • 18th December, and further copies were transmitted from London .to the. "Washington Treaty Governments at the end of December—i.e., four or five days before publication; Moreover, -the British Government could not have been expected to withhold publication indefinitely while on every side tendencious leakages and gross, misrepresentations of its policy were taking place. The British Government should rather, it is contended, be congratulated on its open diplomacy. ■'.'•■■