HELPING CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23791, 19 October 1940, Page 11

HELPING CHINA

AMERICAN INTEREST PROVISION OF CREDITS OFFICIAL DISCUSSIONS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 18, 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 The Federal Loans Administrator, Mr. Jesse Jones, is conferring with Mr. T. V. Soong, chairman of the Bank of China, in regard to possible further financial aid to China by the United States. Mr. Jones said the United States was interested in assisting China. The allocation of further credits was being discussed to ascertain if they could be arranged on a sound, friendly basis. He said the reopening of the Burma Road would enable China to make exports to pay for some of her previous credits. There were no discussions on the sale of munitions to China.

China so far, it is stated, has received loans for 85,000,000 dollars.

PERIOD EXPIRES BRITISH AGREEMENT British "Wireless LONDON, Oct. 17 The three months' period for the operation of the agreement with Japan for the closing of the Burma Road for the passage of arms and supplies to China expires at midnight, and, as the understanding that the period would be used for exploring means of reaching a peaceful settlement of hostilities in China lias not been fulfilled, the road now reopens lor traffic. With regard to the route by which supplies forinerlv reached China, via Ho ngkong, an assurance was given to Japan at the time of the conclusion of the Burma Road agreement that the decision for its closure taken by the Governor of Hongkong many months earlier would be respected. This assurance lapses with the Burma Road agreement.

In fact, owing to the disposition of Japanese land and sea forces, the Hongkong route is now of little practical importance, but lhe assurance referred to having lapsed, the obligation regarding its closure is removed, and it remains for the Governor of Hongkong to decide in the light of local circumstances whether it should be reopened. THAILAND DEMANDS (Received October 18, 5.5 p.m.) BANGKOK, Oct. 17 Tho Thailand Government has ordered Siamese students to leave France, as anti-French demonstrations have increased throughout Thailand, demanding that force be used if necessary to support the territorial claims against Judo-China. CHUNGKING BOMBED CHUNGKING, Oct. 17 Thirty-six Japanese aeroplanes attacked Chungking to-day. They scattered bombs all over the city.