WATCH IN CHINA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19024, 26 May 1936, Page 5

WATCH IN CHINA

DEFIANCE OF CUSTOMS JAPANESE AND KOREANS INTERFERENCE ALLEGED STATEMENT IN COMMONS (British Official Wireloss.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, May 25. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, was called upon to answer more than half' a dozen questions in the House of Commons on the growth ot smuggling in northern China. Mr. Eden stated that the report of the inspector of general maritime customs was being examined. The information at the disposal of the Government tended to confirm reports that, customs officials at those stations in the demilitarised zone, as well as vessels operating in its coastal waters, were prevented by Japanese military authorities from carrying arms, and there was .also reason to believe that, officers in the Chinese customs service were being prevented from carrying out their duties on trains in the demilitarised zone.

The principal agents engaged in the smuggling in north China, he added, were said to be Japanese and Koreans, although some Chinese might be taking part.

Mr. Eden declared that the House already w,a's aware of the concern with which the .British Government viewed this situation, and the steps which had been taken to bring the need for more effective action to cheek this illicit traffic to the urgent notice of the Chinese and Japanese Governments. The British Ambassador at Tokio had kept in close touch with the representatives of other Governments interested.

The Foreign .Secretary added that lie understood that, ‘ representations ' had been made to tae Japanese Government by the United States Ambassador. His Majesty’s Government would continue to watch the situation with the closest attention.

APPEAL BY CHINESE NEED FOR FRIENDSHIP (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 26, 11.45 q.ni.) NANKING, May 25. Holding out the olive branch to Japan, the Foreign 'Minister, Chang Ch ’un, urged immediate discussions to readjust Sino-Japanese relationships. He emphasised that China never contemplated political alliances and was not attempting to play off distant Powers against neighbours. He urged that Sino-Japanese friendship was an immediate necessity. A simple move from Japan would end the smuggling campaign, which was threatening the foundation of the Chinese economic structure.