CONCERN IN LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 16, 18 July 1940, Page 11

CONCERN IN LONDON

YIELD TO THREATS?

MINISTER QUESTIONED

STATEMENT TODAY

REQUEST FOR PATIENCE

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received July 18, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 17,

Before word had been received that the agreement between Japan and Britain had been concluded, the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, replying in the House of Lords to Lord Cecil, said that, the Government had recently received certain requests from the Japanese Government concerning .the passage, of supplies tb China. Because of the resignation of the Japanese Government he had no further official information at that time as to the conclusion of the agreement and was enable to make a full statement. He hoped to be able to do so tomorrow. Further clarification was sought by Lord Cecil, who said* that these negotiations had caused anxiety to a considerable section of the public. One suggestion was that there was some idea of trying to use British influence to produce peace between China and Japan. He hoped that the Government would be extremely cautious in proceeding on any lines of tfiat kind.

"I beg the Government to consider very carefully," he said, "whether the policy of concession to Japan, apparently under threats, is likely to diminish the gravity of the situation."

Lord Halifax replied: "I do not want to enter into a debate on this occasion but I should be sorry if Lord Cecil or any other of your Lordships were to think that any of the grave matters to which he has referred; have been absent from the mind of the Government. For the rest I hope your Lordships will await the fuller statement which I hope to be able to make tomorrow."

A similar statement was made in the House of Commons by the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, who said he would be grateful if members would not press for replies to specific points which they might wi?h to raise. He refused to answer supplementary questions pending the further statement which he hoped to make to-

morrow.