BRITAIN’S WATCH ON INTERESTS

Southland Times, Issue 23389, 22 December 1937, Page 5

BRITAIN’S WATCH ON INTERESTS

FAR EASTERN FLEET CHANGES POSSIBLE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MADE TO JAPAN (United Press Assn.—Teleg/eph Copyright) LONDON, December 20. The British Cabinet does not desire to cause unnecessary provocation in a delicate situation, but if vital British interests are further threatened the strengthening of the Navy in the Far East on a large scale is . likely, says the diplomatic correspondent of The Daily Mail. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) is expected to indicate the Government’s attitude, repeating the Foreign Secretary’s declaration of its intention to defend British possessions, when he speaks in the House of Commons tomorrow.

Mr Vernon Bartlett in the News Chronicle writes: “Nobody in London expects a direct attack on Hong Kong, which is British leased territory, but Japanese ambition certainly aims at destroying British, American and other white interests in China,’as she could do at Hong Kong by draining its lifeblood through the capture of Canton while puppet governments put on the pressure in other parts of China.” In reply to a question in the House of Commons the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) said the principle of pecuniary compensation for casualties caused bV the Japanese troops to British soldiers and sailors had been fully accepted by Japan. The actual details were still under discussion and what remained to be decided was the amounts and to whom they should be paid. Over the damage to British property and interests there would be a large number of claims in addition to those about which representations had been made to Tokyo, but it was not possible yet to formulate or even verify all the claims. Asked whether Japan was responsible for its soldiers’ plunderings Mr Eden replied: “That precisely is one of the items under which claims may be made.”

The Foreign Office has announced that it has been decided that Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, British Ambassador to China, who was wounded in a Japanese attack on his car, should not return to China after his convalescence but should be recommended for appointment to another post. In his place the King has approved of the appointment of Sir Archibald Clerk Kerr, Ambassador to Baghdad, to be his Majesty’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to China. Sir Archibald proceeds to China as soon as possible.

PUPPET GOVERNMENT IN PEIPING DESCRIPTION AS TRAITORS BY CHINESE SHANGHAI, December 20. The Chinese Government declares that the establishment of the “Government” at Peiping is proof of Japan’s violation of China’s territorial integrity. It orders the arrest and punishment as traitors of all participating in it. NO BRITISH RECOGNITION OF NEW ADMINISTRATION (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 20. “His Majesty’s Government recognizes the Central Government as the Government of all China and there is therefore no question of recognizing the new administration installed at Peiping,” the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) told the House of Commons at question time. . 355,000 REFUGEES AT HONG KONG PREPARATIONS AT HONG KONG (British Official Wireless) (Received December 21, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, December 20. In answer to a question in the House of Commons the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) said the refugees in Shanghai at the beginning of December were estimated at approximately 250,000 in Nantao 100,000 in the International Settlement and 5000 in the French Concession. In the two latter areas the refugees were now in camps

established by various international and Chinese charitable bodies, under the supervision of local authorities. The food situation was reported recently to be easier. Mr Eden understood arrangements were being made at Hong Kong to cope with the influx of refugees if hostilities reached the neighbourhood of Canton.

CHINESE RESOLUTION TO FIGHT ON “BETTER TO BE DEFEATED THAN SUBMIT” (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 21. The Chinese Consul has received a cable message from Hankow embodying the manifesto issued by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek to the Chinese nation. It states:— “The sacrifice we have made in fighting a defensive war has been unparallelled in our history. As long as I have the least breath in me I will sacrifice to the utmost limits and will continue to resist the enemy until final victory is achieved. The enemy has captured Nanking. Its object is to conquer China. At the present time we should not attach too much importance to any temporary success or defeat. We should understand that for us it is a war of resistance to the bitter end and one which the Chinese revolution must pass through. “Although we are not equipped like our enemy our spirits should never falter or be subdued. It is better to be defeated in battle than submit. In continuing to fight after defeat in battle there will come'a time when victory will be won. Moreover, the further the enemy penetrates inland the more difficult and passive will his position be. “In the end his military strength will be completely exhausted and final victory will be ours.

“We fight to maintain our country’s existence and independence. At the same time we fight to uphold righteousness among the nations of the world.”

CHINESE LEADER’S SON RETURNS FRESH TROOPS BOUND FOR SHANSI (Received December 21, 11.35 p.m.) SHANGHAI, December 21. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s son, Chiang Ching-kuo, is reported to have arrived at Lanchow with 100,000 crack, well-equipped Mongol troops, bound for Shansi to join the “Red” leader General Chu Teh, commanding the Communist forces now known as the Eighth Route Army. Chiang Ching-kuo denounced his father last year because of his failure to take a strong line against Japan and went to Moscow, but he returned'when the present hostilities broke out. ATTACK ON BEAUTIFUL LAKESIDE CITY FOUR JAPANESE COLUMNS SHANGHAI, December 20. The Japanese have launched four columns in the direction of Hongchow, the beautiful lakeside city which it was hoped would be spared the horrors of war. The vanguard is within 20 miles of the city. SAFETY ZONE SUGGESTED BY POWERS REPRESENTATIONS TO TOKYO LONDON, December 20. Britain, the United States and other Powers have made representations to i Tokyo to establish a safety zone at I Hankow for the protection of a considerable amount of shipping, almost 1000 British residents and a large num- | ber of Europeans.