ECONOMIC BLOC IN CHINA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 January 1939, Page 6

ECONOMIC BLOC IN CHINA

PLAN BY JAPAN RIGHT DENIED BY BRITAIN NOTE PRto<*j.»tb£D AT TOKIO IU.P.A.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! TOKIO, 14th January. The British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, to-day delivered the British Note to the Foreign Minister, Mr Arita, disclaiming the Japanese right to establish an economic bloc in China to the detriment of the trading interests of the parties to the Nine-Power Pact. The Note closely follows the lines of the American one, presented last month, and requests a precise and detailed interpretation of the new Japanese policy in China which was outlined in the recent statements of the former Premier, Prince Konoye, and Mr Arita.

Britain reiterates her adherence to the principles of the Nine-Power Pact and declines to agree to unilateral modifications of the open door policy. The Note adds that it is realised that treaties sometimes require revision owing to the passage of time and states that the British Government is prepared to discuss constructive suggestions for modification. The British Government feels that the proper time for such discussions would be after the cessation of hostilities in China. Nevertheless, the British Government is prepared to receive the Japanese views immediately.