BRITISH FIRMNESS

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 9

BRITISH FIRMNESS

THE TOKIO TALKS DIFFERENCES BECOME MORE EVIDENT JAPAN DEMANDS CHANCE IN FAR EAST POLICY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 20. Despite official reserve and the efforts of the Japanese evening newspapers to gloss over British firmness, nothing thus far contradicts the reported deadlock in the talks between Sir Robert Craigio and Mr Arita. On tho other hand, Tokio morning newspapers go a step further by declaring that the differences over Tientsin became more and more evident as yesterday’s talks dragged out. The divergences are described as considerable. Sir Robert Craigio is reported to have accepted frankly certain of Mr Arita’s points, but is strongly opposed to others, particularly those affecting British prestige.

The newspapers attach the utmost importance to to-morrow’s meeting. The opening of subsequent formal negotiations on Tientsin issues is said to depend on Britain’s acceptance of certain immutable Japanese demands. The Tokio correspondent of the British United Press says the principal conflict yesterday concerned Mr Arita’s request that Britain admit that her I ar Eastern policy has hitherto been proChinese, and that she should pledge herself to co-operate with Japan in preserving peace and order. AMBASSADOR GUARDED BY POLICE ANTI-BRITISH FEELING IN TOKIO. TOKIO, July 20. (Received July 21, at 10 a.m.) Owing to the increased anti-British manifestation the police have allotted Sir Robert Oraigie a special guard. Japanese were found hiding in the grounds of the British Embassy. Cinemas have posted a notice, “ No Britishers allowed.” ANTI-BRITISH CAMPAIGN LATEST MOVE IN PEKING. LONDON, July 20. The Peking correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the latest Japanese sponsored move in the anti-British campaign is thq insertion of half-page newspaper advertisements asking all Chinese in British employment to leave immediately, while Chinese landlords are asked to cancel all house leases with Britons. Those not complying will be treated as disturbers of the effort to establish a now Order in Asia and will be subjected to punishment together with their families. Tho threat is already causing the more nervous Chinese to quit. JEOPARDISING THE TALKS DEMAND FOR GENERAL DECLARATION. LONDON, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) The Tokio correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the success which both Britain and Japan honestly desire is jeopardised by the Japanese demand for a general declaration, which is tho most difficult in tho draft. The army demands such general assurances on the ground that only thus can it be protected against a repetition of the alleged obstructions in Tientsin, while the public believe that tho war will be prolonged as a result of the British attitude. The success of the conference depends upon Japan remembering that a breakdown will increase her difficulties in China. FATE OF NEGOTIATIONS HANGS ON TO-DAY’S MEETING. TOKIO, July 20. (Received July 21, at 1 p.m.) Sir Robert Craigie conferred with American and French diplomatic officials to-night. It is reported that he said that the fate of the negotiations hangs on his meeting with Mr Arita to-morrow. CASE OF MR DAVIS LIKELY TO BE SHELVED. TOKIO, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) With reference to the protest which Sir Robert Craigio lodged on June 25 on behalf of the New Zealand and British Governments against the maltreatment of Mr Davis at Tientsin on Juno 23, tho Foreign Office is still unable to state what action can he taken. Sir Robert Craigio has not received a reply, and tho matter is likely to bo shelved duo to the strenuous efforts to achieve success in tho Anglo-Japanose talks by confining the conversations to major issues. CRAIGIE REPORT EXAMINED IN LONDON TALKS RESUMING TO-DAY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) The full report of the Craigic-Arita conversations lias been examined by Britain, and a further communication has been sent to Sir Robert Craigie. It is expected that the talks will be resumed in Tokio to-morrow. j

ANTI-COMINTERN PACT JAPAN’S FIRM ADHERENCE. TOKIO, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11 a.m.) Mr Hiranuma, addressing the new China Affairs Council, said Japan was enthusiastic for strengthening the anticomintern pact. It did not udsli to exclude third Powers if they were sympathetic to the new order. CANADIAN POLITICIAN'S PROPOSAL ALL JAPANESE SHOULD BE ORDERED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. TORONTO, July 20. (Received July 21, at noon.) Colonel George Drew, Conservative leader in the Legislature, addressing a Conservative convention, declared that Canada should answer any Japanese declaration of anti-British feeling by ordering all Canadian Japanese to leave the country. Ho urged that no official welcome be given the Japanese

family flying the Pacific in August and no gesture of goodwill to Japan until Tokio recognised international law and international decency.