THE FAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 May 1941, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

POLICY OF BRITAIN ATTITUDE TO JAPAN AND CHINA MINISTERS’ STATEMENTS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS [British Official Wireless! Rugby, May 14. The British Government’s attitude to Japanese interference with British interests in China and its relations with the regime of General Chiang Kai-shek were the subject of statements made in the House of Commons. Answering a question regarding Japanese discrimination against British interests in China, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, after recalling the unsatisfactory outcome of representations addressed to Japan, added that he had instructed the British Ambassador in Tokio, Sir Robert Craigie, to reply to Japanese complaints of economic restrictions in British territories by saying that, while Britain’s main object was to conserve supplies for her war effort and prevent these supplies from reaching her enemies, she was naturally influenced in deciding her economic policy by Japan’s attitude toward her interests in China. Answering a question regarding relations between the British Government and the national government of China at Chungking, the Foreign Un-der-Secretary, Mr Butler, said: “Relations between the two Governments remain, I am happy to say, on terms of losest ordiality and co-operation. Engaged r.s we are in a life or death struggle against aggression in Europe and the Middle East, the effoi'ts of China to resist foreign domination and preserve her independence have a natural appeal to the people of this country. The British Government has done what it could in the past and will continue to do what it can in the future to help China maintain her independence. TALK WITH MATSUOKA A Tokio message states that the British and United States Ambassadors this morning saw the Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, for the first time since the latter’s return from his European trip. It is believed that the Ambassadors sought to sound him on Japan’s attitude toward a readjustment of relations betv’een Japan and Britain and America, and also on other outstanding problems. AIM OF JAPAN The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, in a speech in Tokio yesterday, said the international situation was becoming more and more serious and the European war threatened to spread all ever the world. Mr Matsuoka said it was the aim of Japan to collaborate more closely with Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union, to the common benefit of those nations and Japan. BIG REINFORCEMENTS IN MALAYA London, May 15. A large number of British reinforcements arrived in Singapore yesterday from Britain. They comprised army units, including infantry, artillery and Royal Army Service Corps, and also units of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.