TOKIO CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 July 1939, Page 7

TOKIO CONFERENCE

DISCUSSIONS COMMENCED SUGGESTIONS FOR PROCEDURE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] TOKIO, July 15. The British-Japanese conversations opened and lasted for three and a-half hours. There will be another meeting on Monday.

It is understood that the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr. Arita) proposed that Britain announce her intention of co-operating with Japan by recognising “historic changes” in the Far East. Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambassador, suggested that definite causes of the Tientsin dispute be established first. Mr. Arita replied that an understanding of fundamental questions would enable the negotiations to proceed smoothly. Sir Robert Craigie is spending the week-end at. the seaside.

SERIOUS DIFFERENCES

(Recd. July 17, 11.35 a.m.) TOKIO, July 16.

It- is reliably reported that serious differences arose in the talk between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita, over the scope of the negotiations. The Japanese predict that the fundamental divergence will become more obvious as the negotiations progress. . ALL QUIET IN CITY. (Recd. July 17, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. “The Times's” Tokio correspondent says that the anti-British manifestations in the city have ceased as suddenly as they began. The Embassy gates are wide open, the peaceful conditions coinciding with the initiation of the Sir Robert. Craigie-Mr, Arita talks. On the contrary, hostile demonstrations in other parts of Japan, Manchukuo and China were unabated during the week-end.

JAPANESE NAVAL REVIEW

TOKIO, July 16

The Navy Office announces.that the Emperor will review the entire fleet on July 21.

The spokesman said: “The Fleet’s responsibility is especially heavy, when diplomatic warfare regarding the China incident is being intensified. Every member engages in daily drills, and is ready for battle at any moment.”

FOREIGN WARSHIPS WARNED

TOKIO, July 15.

The Japanese Navy has announced it is operating against Swabue, 65 miles, north-east of Hong Kong, and foreign warships and other vessels are asked to leave the port by July 18. . The Japanese Navy is also operating against Hingwa on July 19, 300 miles north of Hong Kong. BRITISH SOLDIER KILLED. TIENTSIN, July 16. A sniper fatally shot Private Tomlinson. of the Durham Light Infantry. SITUATION AT TSINGTAO TSINGTAO, July 16. Rear-Admiral Murray has arrived aboard the cruiser Cornwall. Strong detachments of Japanese marines are guarding the British Consulate and business houses in Tsingtao, as a result of the recent bombings. KAIFENG ULTIMATUM. PEKIN, July 15. Anti-British leaders delivered an ultimatum sto Britons at Kaifeng, wfin are mostly missionaries, to evacuate the town within four days. It is reported that the Japanese military authorities have given the British Anglican Mission notice to vacate its hospitals in the suburb of Tatung, offering compensation of 70,000 dollars for property valued at 400,000 dollars.

DAMAGE TO GUNBOAT

TOKIO, July 16. It is officially announced that the Japanese naval authorities at Shanghai have apologised' to the captain of the British gunboat Falcon, for damage sustained during the Japanese airraid on Chungking, on July 6. The authoritie'si have offered to pay compensation. ,i BRITISH AMBASSADOR. RUGBY, July 14. Reports that the British Ambassador in China (Sir Archibald Clark Kerr) had tendered his resignation, or that it is under consideration, are categorically denied in informed quarters in London.