TIENTSIN DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1939, Page 7

TIENTSIN DISPUTE

CONFERENCE POSTPONED

LITTLE HOPE OF SUCCESS

[rtY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT-]

LONDON, July 17.

The talks in Tokio between the British Ambassador (Sir Robert Craigie) and the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr. Arita) for a settlement of the Tientsin dispute have been postponed until Wednesday, because Sir Robert Craigie has not yet received any new instructions from London. British official circles in Tokio deny that the Tientsin talks are foredoomed to failure, although there is not much optimism of success, since both parties are not prepared to give ground., The Japanese are reported to be claiming that Tientsin is not British but Chinese, and that the British have usurped Chinese sovereignty. “The Times,” in an editorial, says: “There is little hope of any result. It will be a deadlock if Japan persists in claiming British aid against China. If the negotiations fail and are followed by anti-British riots by obedient Chinese mobs, there is no point in keeping British citizens in danger in Tientsin, but every reason to give the Chinese republic the full benefit of the friendliest neutrality. The Japanese demand for such a concession cannot succeed if the Government of this country stands by its refusal to become the passive accomplice of the Japanese militarists.”

SOUTH CHINA BLOCKADE

SHANGHAI, July 17.

Vice-Admiral Kondo, the Japanese /commander in South China waters, stated that he expected that the extension of the blockade to Hingkwa and Swabue might affect the outlook. Officials at Kulangsu believe the move is intended further to reduce Kulangsu’s food supplies and might affect the supplies for Hong Kong and Tsingtao. The British escort vessel Falmoutn •has arrived at Shanghai. ; The entire Chinese staff of the British Embassy has resigned as a result of Japanese intimidation. It is reported from Hong Kong that the British, American and French Embassies rejepted a Japanese demand for the right to blockade Tungshan, Chaonhesin, and Chuachowfu. The blockade began yesterday, the Japanese enclosing the harbour with, mines and booms. The Embassies informed the Japanese naval • authorities that they would hold them responsible for the protection of the lives and property of foreign subjects. , The arrival of H.M.S. Cornwall at Tsingtao resulted in the abandonment of the anti-British demonstrations.

, COLONEL SPEARS’ TRIAL.

PEKIN, July 17.

An official Japanese spokesman declared the report that Colonel Spears’ trial commenced to-day was untrue. He said that the date had not yet been fixed, -i

WOMEN ASSAULTED. I

SHANGHAI, July 17.

Two American and one Canadian woman had their faces slapped by Japanese soldiers at Wuhu.

JAPANESE PLANE’S CRASH.

TOKIO, July 17.

The Domei News Agency announces that, while flying from Hankow, a Japanese plane crashed in the enemy lines. “The occupants, General Toji and 11 others, were compelled to meet honourable! self-destruction, as a result of the damage the plane received from an enemy bullet.” The agency adds that the remains of these war heroes have been recovered.

EXCHANGE CONTROL.

LONDON, July 17.

The Shanghai correspondent of “The Times” says that the Pekin Government’s new exchange control measure compels exports of all except seven unimportant kinds of goods> to obtain exchange through the Japanese Bank, at the official rate of 14d. British firms at Tientsin are not attempting business on this basis. The American Chamber of Commerce is again appealing for Mr. Hull’s intervention.

STATEMENT in commons. BRITISH POLICY UNCHANGED [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. July 18, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY, July 17. As a result of Saturday’s meeting between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita, aS the first of the series of negotiations for the solution of the Tientsin position, there was great interest in the Commons to-day. Mr. Chamberlain, replying to questions,' said: ‘‘As stated in the official communique issued at Tokio, Mr. Arita and Sir Robert Craigie met on July *l5 at the former’s official residence, and held a friendly discussion on the general questions forming the back ground of the situation which has arisen at Tientsin. The interview was adjourned, to give time for further consideration of the issues raised. The date for the official opening of the negotiations at Tokio on questions arising out of the situation at Tientsin has not yet been fixed. “There have been many statements in the Press, both in Japan and Britain, that Japan will require a fundamental reversal of the Far Eastern policy of Britain, as a condition o£ the opening of negotiations. I should like to make it clear that this country would not, and could not, so act in 'regard to its foreign policy, at the demand of another Power, nor has Britain received any such demand from Japan In Sir Robert Craigie’s opinion the Japanese official attitude would more correctly be described as a desire that Britain should endeavour to regard the Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japan’s difficulties, and of the Japanese side -of the case. Britain shaies the Ambassador’s view, that to attribute to Japan intentions which may be found to have no basis in fact, Would only be calculat-

ed to prejudice the success of the forthcoming negotiations.” “The local situation at Tientsin is, on the. whole, improved,” he said. “Food supplies are entering in sufficient quantities, and adequate supplies of milk are now available. “Anti-British demonstrations have taken place in various towns in North China, and some damage has been done to missionary property in the province of Shansi. “The Japanese authorities in China have given official notification to the effect that vessels of third Powers will be admitted to the harbour at Swatou, under certain conditions, and so far as military operations permit, at the rate of approximately one weekly. Negotiations are at present in progress between the British and Japanese authorities. British subjects have-been evacuated from Foochow.

Sir Robert Craigie has been informed by the Japanese Government that it believes Colonel Spear has been put on trial, but it is making further inquiries. In view of the obviouslyunsatisfactory nature of such a procedure, Sir Robert Craigie has made the strongest representations, and has requested Japan to agree to the despatch of a Japanese-speaking British military officer to Kalgan.” Asked whether the forthcoming negotiations would be confined to the local incident at Tientsin, Mr. Chamberlain agreed. Replying to further questions, the Prime Minister agreed that the outbreaks were confined to unrest under Japanese control.

Mr. Eden asked whether it were correct that Japan had not asked for any of these conversations to be extended beyond th elocal issue at Tientsin. Mr. Chamberlain replied: “I did not quite say that. The conversations between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita did range over the general background against which the Japanese Government considered that the Tientsin incident should be taken into account, but Japan has not suggested that the discussion or settlement of these general questions should be a condition of these negotiations.” Meanwhile, Britain’s observations on the discussions between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita will be transmitted to Sir Robert Craigie very shortly, after which another discussion is expected to take place.