Chamberlain Gives Warning to Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 184, 7 August 1939, Page 7

Chamberlain Gives Warning to Japan

EUROPEAN HANDICAP (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Aug. 4. In the House of Commons the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, replying to Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker (Labour), said: "I do not seek to minimise the Government’s strong objection to incidents in which the Japanese have been concerned in the last few months in the Far East, but I want the House to bear in mind that the situation for this country is particularly difficult. , ‘ Sometimes I hear members say •Why don’t you do the same al America?* It is hardly necessary for mo to point to the fundamental difference between the position of America, in its isolation from Europe, and that ot Britain. “Surely we must think all the time, even in the presence of the insults and injuries which have been inflicted upon British subjects in China by the Japanese: What are limits of what wr can do at this particular time? **At the present montent we have not got in the Far a fleet superior to the Japanese.'* Mr Chamberlain added. “We have such a fleet here. In certain circumstances we might find it necessary to send a fleet out there. I hope no-one will think that those circumstances will arise. I do not say this as a threat, but only as a warning. “At the same time, I would say wa would much rather settle our differ* ences with the Japanese by discussion and negotiation, providing we can do sc' without sacrificing what seem to be fundamental considerations and r--'r* ciples, than by the threat of force '* Mr Chamberlain, in answering Mr Noel-Baker's criticism of the “formula'* recently negotiated at Tokio, said it did not imply any change of British policy in China. jHe repudiated Mr Noel-Baker’s suggestion that the Japanese were demanding joint police control of thq Tientsin Concession, and said that the discussions at Tokio were proceeding on the basis of police control remaining in the hands of the municipal council Regarding the four men alleged by •the Japanese to have murdered a puppet official, and the question of handing them over, evidence had now been sub mitted by the Japanese and was beinj examined. , Referring to the currency questions which had been the subject of Opposi: tion criticism, Mr Chamberlain said; “The difficulty is that it is agreed tha 4 [the present discussions are to be {local discussions about local circunv .stances and the position of Teintsin, and if you take the matter literally Jthcse questions of silver and curreucy £tre local questions because the silver* .in question is in Tientsin; but in oun view you cannot deal with these questions only in relation to Tientsin.”

The Premier added that a much wider area than Tientsin was affected, and it follow'd that it was not only Britain which Mas concerned. Britain had made it perfectly clear to Japan that she was net prepared to settle M'iih the Japanese alone these questions of currency and silver.

Mr Chamberlain, in concluding, said that it would be possible to undertake the same commitments in the Far East as Britain had done in Europe, but he did not want to do that.

Mr Chamberlain said it did not look as though they would have much difficulty in coming to an agreement with the Japanese on some parts of the of the difficulties at Tientsin. Those who were conducting the negotiations on behalf of Japan in Tokio were by no means so extreme as many cf the Japanese in China.

It was recognised that behind the question of currency was the larger question of China’s ability to carry oij the war successfully. The Government had not gone back on its position regarding aggressors in China, but there was nothing in any of •the obligations undertaken which required Britain to denounce her trade treaty with Japan. In any event, such a denouncement would not have immediate effect.

The Japanese treaty was bound up with Japan s treaties with the Dominions. It would be outrageous on Britain's part to shut her eyes to the effect denunciations of the treaty might have, or to act without consulting the. Dominions concerned.

A Karachi message says that the transports Quiloa, Varela, and Khosrou have sailed for a destination that is not disclosed, but is believed to te Singapore. MOST CANDID, SAYS TIMES (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 0.20 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 5. The Times, commenting on Mr. Chamberlain's speech which it describes as the most candid the Premier has made ou the subject of rearmament, observe* that the chiefs of other States ‘‘can hardly be so unimaginative ns to ignore Mr. Chamberlain’s survey of the measures to which Britain might be driven." The Times adds; “As the Premier pointed out the present situation in Europe is not one in which Britain would willingly disperse its naval forces."