JAPAN MAY RESORT TO FORCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20897, 29 November 1937, Page 9

JAPAN MAY RESORT TO FORCE

FOREIGN INTEREST IN SHANGHAI CHALLENGE BY PRINCE KONOYE CONFERENCE OF TREATY POWERS United Press Association—By Electra Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 28, 6.30 p.m. TOKIO, November 28. “The Asahi” declares that the Prime Minister told the Japanese pressmen yesterday: “As regards the issue relating to the International Settlement in Shanghai, Japan may find it necessary to resort to force. Everything depends on the attitude of the other party concerned.” “The Asahi” goes on to report that Prince Konoye (Prime Minister as saying that since the Nine Power Pact is a pretext for the Powers to 'ntervene in Far Eastern affairs, Japan will propose either the revision or the denunciation of the Pact at the proper opportunity. The Prime Minister is said to have added: "As it was made clear several years ago that Japan will not admit European or American intervention in the Far East. We should have resorted to this step long before, namely the revision or' denunciation of the Nine Power Pact.” Warning To Nankin Prince Konoye reiterated, that if Nankin and Marshal Chiang-Kai-Shek vould make a volte face on their AntiJapanese policy, Japan will be ready to respond but if China is resolved to prolong hostilities, Japan will accept the challenge. Any future change in the situation might necessitate a decl -ation of war. Prince Konoye hinted that a new administration is likely to be organised in North China in January. APPREHENSION IN SHANGHAI FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT SHANGHAI, November 26. Apprehension is growing after persistent unconfirmed rumours that Japan will occupy the entire International Settlement on December 1. The Japanese continue to press on the righ’, and Will enter the Settlement frc~. the south of Soochow Creek. Troops ■ have seized the pontoon dock opposite the Bund used by Jardine and Matheson, the largest English firm in the Far East, and hoisted the Japanese flag. It is seml-officially stated that the Japanese are taking over the postal and wireless offices to-morrow. Customs appraisers have been assigned duties on the wharves south of Soochow Creek.

TREATY POWERS IN CONFERENCE QUESTION RAISED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS British Official Wireless RUGBY, Novel ber 26. Replying to questions in the House of Commons, Lord Cranbome (Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs) said he understood that the Council of International Settlement at Shanghai, was being pressed by the Japanese authorities to take action in matter, such as the suspension of broadcasting and other Chinese activities, closing the Chinese Government officer and the removal of officials, and the suppression of the Chinese press and postal censorship. Britain had nc L been consulted as to the cour e to be pursued by the British member of the municipal authority. It was not within the Council’s power to deport people except by legal process, and he had i information that the Council had removed any Chinese officials. The authority of the municipal administration was derived from the land regu lations, by which powers to keep good order and government of the Settlement were delegated to it by China. Tl. ’ precise extent of those powers was a matter for interpretation, which was in the first place, the Council’s responsibility.

JAPAN’S FIRST MOVE CHINESE SERVICES TAKEN OVER (Received November 28, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, November 27. The Shaighai correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” reports that the Japanese to-day took over the Chinese Post Office, telepraph services and also th; Government-owned wireless station. Britain’s Warning To Tokio Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambassador at Tokio, has been instructed to make it perfectly clear to the Japanese that Britain must be consulted in any change with arrangements of the Chinese Customs at Shanghai.

JOINT ACTION PENDING DISCUSSION BY POWERS INTERESTED (Received November 28, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, November 27. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: Discussions are proceeding in London, Paris and W-"h--ington concerning Shanghai. It is expected an agreement will be reached quickly on the form of international representations to be made to Japan with a view to safeguarding the r’-hts of foreign nations under International agreements with China.

CONCERN IN UNITED STATES

FOREIGN INTERESTS PREJUDICIAL (Received November 28, 75 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 27. The United States Government acting simultaneously with Great Britain France and possibly other countries,

made representations to Tokio expressing concern at Japan’s taking over of the Chinese Customs organisation at Shanghai. It is not disclosed whether this is connected with the conference between President Roosevelt and M. Troyanovsky the Soviet Ambassador to the United Stated to-day. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) it a prefs conference explained that the United States was greatly concerned at the possible impairment of the integrity of the Chinese Customs service, because a considerable part of the revenues was earmarked for foreign debts. Return of Mr Davis Considerable significance is seen in the Intention of Mr Norman Davis to return to the United States from the Brussels Conference instead of going to London for further discussions. It is felt that nothing would be served by going whereas such a course might be misinterpreted not only in China and Japan but by Congress. There is no special desire for conversations in Londe-’ to touch off the debate on foreign aff-’rs in Congress on the assumption that important steps in which the United States might take a leading part, were impencUng.

President’s Attitude Defined The vr -shington correspondent of “The New York Times’ reports that President Roosevelt at a press conf’rence reiterated the intention of the United States to continue its efforts towards peace and the facilitation of a cessation of the Chinese-Japanese conflict if and when circumstances were propitious, but no immediate move was contemplated upon the conclusion of the Brussels Conference. In any event any move made would only be in conjunction with other Powers. FEARS OF PLUNGE INTO WAR NEUTRALITY CAMPAIGN IN UNITED STATES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph - Copyright NEW YORK, November 25. The Washington correspondent of “The New York Times” says: Senator Lodge announces that he is shortly proposing far-reaching amendments to the Neutrality Act because “the present law tends to lead the country into war.” Senator Lodge said “I want a statute with no purpose except that of saving the United States from being involved in foreign conflicts.” The principal objectives of the proposal are: (1) The elitnir tion of the vast discretion placed with the President, which virtuaPv gives him the power of peace or war. (2) A reduction of the need of the United States to commit itself to .- dvance foreign wars, thus restoring freedom to act as the Interests of peace dictate. (3) The elimination of the cash and carry provision which automatically ranges the United States on the side of the strongest belligerent regardless of right or wrong. Three other proposed constitutional am ndments are pending each designed to remove from Congress the power to declare war on foreign soil.