FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1934, Page 7

FAR EAST

BRITISH TRADE QUOTAS (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] TOKIO, May 16. M. Hirota has instructed the Japanese Ambassador at London, to deliver a note to Britain protesting against the imposition by the British Crown Colonies of quotas against Japanese goods, which action is considered to be an infringement of Japan’s treaty rights. Japan’s note expresses the hope that Britain will not aggravate this situation by extending the quotas to goods other than those of cotton and rayon. M. Hirota. said that there was no objection to Britain protecting her own industries, but they regarded her obvious discrimination as against Japan as being most unfair. He added that the Japanese Government were still willing to talk over any proposal which the British Government may offer. U.S.A. PACIFIC FLEET. LONDON, May 16. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent says: The United States, acting on the advice of its experts, is contemplating the evacuation of all of its Fleet bases in the Far Eastern waters, and also the withdrawal of its Asiatic Squadron, now in the Philippine Islands. The latter move is linked with lhe forthcoming granting of independence to the Philippines. The correspondent continues: The naval experts, for many years, have emphasised that grave risks are incurred in retaining these islands, that could not be defended in the case of a war with Japan, and that there would be an inevitable loss in the initial stage of a. campaign, which would constitute a moral reverse of the first magnitude. The Philippine Squadron has long been known as the “Live Bait." Squadron. or the “Suicide Fleet.” RELIGION IN CHINA. (Recd. May 17, 10 a.m.) SHANGHAI. May 16. In a striking interview with the press at Nanking, M. Wangahingwei, President executive of the Yuan, and virtual head of the National Government, reaffirmed the decision to permit religious freedom throughout China. He added: The Government holds in equal esteem all religions, whether Buddhism, Mohammedanism or Christianity. But while the principle of religious tolerance is upheld, superstition cannot be confounded with religion. It has been decided that all forms of superstition practsing occult art will be rigorously suppressed.