AMERICA RESENTS INTERFERENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21508, 22 November 1939, Page 7

AMERICA RESENTS INTERFERENCE

Sharp Reminder To Japan Firm On Rights Of Nationals United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received November 21, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 20. The Under-Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) said he views seriously the continued interference by Japanese military authorities with American trade and nationals. "Official reports show thac the interference is increasing, despite warnings," said Mr Welles. "The United States considers her citizens to have every right to trade with China without intereference.” Mr Welles added that the United States insisted on the rights of nationals to use the British and French concessions at Tientsin. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the statement is significant in view of the British and French withdrawal of troops and reports of the RussianJapanese commercial agreement. The State Department denied on November 13 that the United States will protect the French and British concessions but diplomats believe that insistence on the rights of American traders will have a practical effect in safeguarding the concessions. The majority of 470 American businessmen have headquarters in the British concession.