EASTERN ASIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 13

EASTERN ASIA

NEW ORDER WANTED AIMS OF JAPANESE SELF-DEFENCE MEASURE OTHER POWERS RESTRICTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Independent Cable Service TOKIO, Dec. 10 The Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachiro Arita, told representatives of the foreign press to-day that Japan wished to establish a new order of co-operation and co-ordination in Eastern Asia. This was necessarily a measure of self-defence in the face of Customs barriers throughout the world. The activities of other Powers, therefore, would be subject to the restrictions necessary for economic security of Japan, China and Manchukuo. The provisions of the Nine-Power Treaty were not applicable under present conditions and should be replaced by a new order.

AID FOR CHINA AMERICAN CREDITS JAPAN'S VAIN PROTESTS PARALLEL BRITISH ACTION (Received December 20, 7.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 The United States Government has decided to continue extending credit to China against gold held here. This is a serious rebuff to Japan because the Japanese have repeatedly criticised American financial aid and a further protest was received from Mr. Hachiro Arita, the Foreign Minister, to-day. It is understood Britain is taking parallel action. The extent of the Chinese gold reserve is not revealed. It was obtained from the sale of Chinese silver, and a fairly reliable estimate of it is 110,000,000 dollars.

BRITAIN'S SYMPATHY FACILITATING EXPORTS CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN (Received December 20, 8.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Dec. 39 In connection with the loan to be granted by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in the United States to China, the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, said in the House of Commons to-day that he understood it was designed to facilitate United States exports to China. "In principle, Britain would be very glad if it is found possible to facilitate certain British exports to China in the same way," said Mr. Chamberlain. "That is a question which will be considered sympathetically when the Exports Guarantee Bill is passed." More than a score of answers given to questions in the House to-day related to the Far East, and in the course of answers the Foreign UnderSecretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, made the point that there was no clause in the Nine Power Treaty limiting the period of its validity, and that Britain's attitude was that she could not subscribe to any modification of existing treaties by unilateral action.

MANCHUKUO BORDER SOVIET TROOPS GATHER Independent Cable Service TOKIO, Dec. 19 The commander of the Japanese unit involved in the Chang-kufeng fighting on the Soviet-Manchukuo border alleges that Soviet troops are concentrating on the Manchukuo border. SUPPORT OF CHINESE MOSLEMS AROUSED LONDON, Dec. 19 Moslems in Kweilin have sent a circular to co-religionists throughout China alleging that the Japanese have destroyed their mosques and insulted their faith, says the Chungking correspondent of the British United Press. The circular pledges whole-hearted supp&rt to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek in resisting Japan. It appeals*. to the world's Moslems to maintain their co-religionists' freodom in China.