BRITAIN IN CHINA

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 30, 4 August 1939, Page 9

BRITAIN IN CHINA

INTERESTS WILL NOT BE DISREGARDED

FAR EAST POLICY

STATEMENT IN LORDS

(British Official Wireless.) ■OL. (Received Au^feft 4, 11.10 a.m.)

RUGBY, August 3

The position in the Far East came under review in a speech which the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, delivered in the House of Lords in replying to a debate on foreign affairs initiated by Lord Snell.

Lord Halifax said it had been suggested in several speeches that the formula recently signed with Japan committed Britain to a fundamental change of policy—that Britain, by signing the formula, had recognised a state of belligerency in China, that it was in a spirit contrary to the country's obligations under the League resolutions, that it endangered the NinePower Treaty, and generally that it condoned actions which the British Government had previously condemned. "I wish to say quite plainly," he said, "that in my judgment those who! take that sort of line, ignore the plain terms of the formula and the inter-1 pretation which Britain itself has j placed upon it. The general consideration which I. would ask should be I kept in mind is that Japan has never! asked Britain to reverse its general j policy, nor could Britain do so if •it were asked. "I can assure Lord Cecil that I am not unmindful of any obligation whatever, whether under the Nine-Power Treaty or the League resolutions, and there is no intention of Britain disregarding British interests in China or disregarding Britain's obligations to third Powers. All we have done by this formula is to state the facts as they seem to us to be and to attempt in a practical fashion to deal with the background against which the situation at Tientsin has unfortunately arisen." AGGRESSION NOT CONDONED. Continuing, Lord Halifax said that nothing Britain had done and nothing it would do could by any reasonable construction be taken as condoning aggressive action. Britain's policy in the Far East was an endeavour to do two things—to see whether Britain could assist in promoting a settlement fair to all interests concerned, and, from the more narrow point of view of the interest of Britain, to work for such good will as would not impair its relations with China or Japan if such an impairment could be avoided. As far as relations with Japan were concerned, he said, success in maintaining good will did not depend entirely on Britain. It depended also on Japan. Referring to the interests of other Powers in China, Lord Halifax mentioned the interests of America and France. The general aims and objects of the three Governments were closely similar, and Britain was alive to the importance of collaboration with France and America whenever collaboration was possible. Britain had never failed to keep those Governments informed of its intentions or j actions. . POSSIBLE DENUNCIATION OF TREATY. "I do not say that we necessarily do the same thing in the same way at the same time," he said. "America's denunciation of the commercial treaty with Japan is a case in point. I can very well conceive circumstances under which Britain may wish to give notice of its intention to denounce its commercial treaty with Japan, but, as the Prime Minister said on Monday, that is a matter which will require most careful consideration and regarding which exchange of views with his Majesty's Dominions will be necessary. I would not wish to say more on that subject." Lord Halifax said that whilst Britain had never acquiesced in the Japanese

action in China, and was bound to consider Britain's own interests, it had always been fully prepared to recognise the special interest of Japan in China due to her geographical and economic situation.

Before leaving the question of the Far East, Lord Halifax said that the Government felt it was the duty of responsible persons everywhere to keep clear in front of them the real goal, which was to try to bring about a just and amicable settlement of the present dispute. He added that it was true that Britain was not in the position of police in the Far East, but it was in a position to act as a mediator, and the Government would be ready when the opportunity came to tender its good offices if they could be usefully employed.