JAPAN AND POWERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 January 1939, Page 7

JAPAN AND POWERS

ANGLO—U.S.A. NOTES

REJECTION INTIMATED

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Received January 18, 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 17

11, is authoritatively stated that Japan will shortly reply to the AngloAmerican notes not accepting the suggested modification of the open door policy, and equality of opportunity in China, by negotiation between, the interested Powers.

It is predicted, however, that Japan will bo prepared to negotiate with Britain and America under the following conditions:—Firstly, comply with the emancipation of Oriental nations and removal of China’s colonial state; and freedom of residence and travel therein for Orientals. Secondly, complete freedom of trade world-wide, including abolition of the existing economic blocs. Thirdly, a fair distribution of the raw materials, and free access thereto for purposes of national existence and defence. FRENCH NOTE. (Received January 18, 1.30 p.m.) PARIS, January 17. France sent a. note to Japan in similar terms to Britain’s. She will not recognise changes in China produced by force. U.S.A. COMMENT. (Received January 18, 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON. January 17. The British Note to Japan is welcomed in Congressional circles, but there are some rather pointed expressions of regret that the British action came only after some apparent setbacks in Mr. Chamberlain’s European appeasement programme. Senator Pittman said: “I consider the action of Britain encouraging, but it is only after some years that Britain or any of the Nine-Power Pact signatories supported us in attempting to maintain peace treaty obedience. It is unfortunate that Britain did not support our protest ■when Japan invaded Manchuria.” BOND VALUES SLUMP. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] [INDEPENDENT CABLE SERVICE.] fßeceived January 18, 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 17.

Chinese bonds slumped by one to seven points on the Stock Exchange yesterdav. Jap. loans, sympathetically affected/ fell up to points, after China’s decision to withhold the customs revenues for debt services. The Chinese Government now controls only about one-third of the Customs. The fall in Japanese bonds is also associated with the Anglo-American Notes to Japan.

ECONOMIC BOYCOTT

(Reed. January 18, 1.30 p.m.) GENEVA, January 17

Dr. Wellington Koo declared that Japan had ordered the mobilisation of Mandated Islands, which, was detiimental to the mandates system policy of tho League. China reserved the right to raise the question in the Assembly.

Dr. Koo declared that an economic boycott against Japan was the only 7 way 7 to stamp out the- ruthlessness which neither the rules of warfare, nor world opinion had checked. “The spirit of the Chinese is indomitable. Irregular troops are active in all territory. The Chinese would refuse Japan’s preposterous conditions.” Dr. Koo suggested that the Council establish a committee in order to coordinate the measures to be taken by the various Governments. RESCUE BY DESTROYER. (Received January 7 IS, 8 a.m.) HONG KONG, January 17.

The British destroyer, Thanet, chased a Japanese destroyer, and forced it to give up a captured Chinese fishing junk, registered locally. The Thanet picked up the junk's crew from a dingy. ARMS FOR CHINA. (Received January 18, 11.30 a.m.) RANGOON, January 7 17.

The British freighter, Worcestershire, unloaded an American seaplane and a. number of machine guns for China. It is understood that further aircraft and American pilots are scheduled to arrive shortly. The pilots will instruct the Chinese at aerodromes near the Chinese-Burmese frontier. CHINESE CONFIDENCE. (Received January 18, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. Professor Chang Peng Chun, member of the People’s Political Council interviewed on arrival by air from Chingking. said that 240 divisions, each of 10,000, were being trained for the second phase of the war. Thirty thousand were being trained as officers. China, during the first phase of the war, fought chiefly on the defensive. She would be on the offensive in the second phase. China was ready for prolonged war, and supremely confident of victory. Arsenals, even aeroplane factories," had sprung up in the southwestern provinces. The Chinese casualties were formerly three to one, but now the position was exactly the reverse. Japanese troops totalled a million, but nearly 400,000 were immobilised in Manchuria.