FACE TO FACE IN CHINA

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 8

FACE TO FACE IN CHINA

While acute tension still prevails between Japan and Britain in China over the situation in Tientsin forced on the British concession by the Japanese army authorities, an open break has been avoided by the patience of the residents under great provocation. At the same time, there has been no surrender of British rights in the treaty port under the display of armed force and the virtual blockade imposed by the Japanese. Further British troops have arrived in Tientsin and British naval units are patrolling the wharves. Face to face with the aggressors the British stand at bay. Such a situation cannot, of course, continue indefinitely. Shortage of food due to the blockade is the chief difficulty, and relief must come to the residents if they are not to be starved out. This is the crux of the position at Tientsin. At Swatow high-handed action on the part of the Japanese naval authorities in the form of a request to foreign warships to leave "the port was met with a point-blank refusal by the British and American commanders, and the Japanese had to waive the point. Similar firmness .at Tientsin is not unlikely to succeed, as it is believed that the civil authorities at Tokio are by no means in accord with the action of the military .in China. But situations like these in China are subject to the influence of unforeseen incidents precipitating an even graver crisis. So far, at the time of writing, no such incident had occurred, though there is an obvious limit to the indignities British subjects resident, in the treaty ports may be compelled to suffer at the hands of the invaders of China.

There is naturally grave concern over the situation throughout the British Empire. In the House of Commons the Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain) has been asked many questions on the subject. He has been careful in his replies, indicating a hope that it was still possible to settle the local issue at Tientsin by negotiation. But if negotiation should fail, the Government was considering what further steps should be taken. The difficulties, as,we pointed out earlier this week, are obvious in view of the geographical position of Tientsin at. the head of the landlocked Gulf of Pechihli, the shores of which are in Japanese hands. This fact no doubt determined the choice of Tientsin as the point to apply pressure, as the other treaty ports are within closer reach of Hong Kong. Hence, it is desirable that any action taken should'be concerted among the *. Powers , affected. Among these; are the United States and Russia. There are indications that the attitude of America is stiffening, and a border clash between Russian and Japanese aircraft is reported through Tokio from Manchukuo. This raises* again the question of a pact with Russia. For reasons that have not yet been clearly explained, this is reported from Moscow, where negotiations have been taking place, to be still hanging fire. The view* in London is that the Soviet has the key to the immediate situation, which is regarded as "most delicate." In the circumstances the delay in completing the peace front of the Powers opposed to aggression is naturally causing widespread concern.