TALKS AT TOKIO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 168, 19 July 1939, Page 7

TALKS AT TOKIO

GREAT INTEREST IN COMMONS I BRITISH EASTERN POLICY NO DEMAND FROM JAPAN I British Official Wireless. ] Received July 18, 7.25 p.m. ‘RUGBY, July 17. As a result of Saturday’s meeting at Tokio between the British Ambassador and the Japanese Foreign Minister as the first of a series of nego- j tiations for solution of the position 1 concerning the British Concession a’ Tientsin, there was great interest in the House of Commons to-day. The Prime Minister, replying to questions, said: ”As stated in the olfi-1 cial communique issued in Tokio, Mr. Arita and Sir Robert Craigie met on July 15 at the official residence of Mr. Arita and' held a friendly discussion on general questions forming the background of the situation which has arisen at Tientsin. The interview was adjourned to give time for further consideration of the issues raised. The date for the official opening of negotiations in Tokio on the questions arising out of the situation in Tientsin has not yet been fixed. “There have been many statements in the Press, both in Japan and in Britain, and Japan will require a fundamental reversal of the Far Eastern policy of Britain as a condition of the opening of negotiations. I should like to make it clear that this country would not, and could no, so act in regard to its foreign policy at the demand of another Power, nor has Britain received any such demand from Japan. Japanese Attitude “In the opinion of Sir Robert Craigie, the Japanese official altitude would more correctly be described as a desire that Britain should endeavour to regard Lhe Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japan’s difficulties and of the Japanese side of the case. Britain shares lhe Ambassador’s view that to attribute to Japan intentions which may be found to have no basis in fact would only be calculated to prejudice the success of the forthcoming negotiations. ‘‘The local situation in Tientsin i.s on ’ the whole improved,” he said. “Food supplies are entering in sufficient j quantities, and adequate supplies of j milk are now available. “Anti-British demonstrations have taken place in various towns in North China, and some damage has been done to missionary property in the province of Shansi. The Japanese authorities in China have given an official notification to the effect that vessels of third Powers will be admitted to the harbour at Swatow, under certain conditions, and as far as the military operations will permit, at the rate of approximately one a week. Negotiations are at present in progress between the British and Japanese authorities. Certain British subjects have been evacuated from Foochow. “Sir Robert Craigie has been informed by the Japanese Government that it believes Lieutenant-Colonel Spear has been put on trial, but it is making further inquiries. In view of i the obviously unsatisfactory nature of such a procedure, Sir Robert Craigie has made the strongest rep-! resentations, and has requested Japan . to agree to the dispatch of a Japan-! cse-speaking British military officer at! Kalgan.” I Restriction of Issue Asked whether the forthcoming negotiations would be confined to the local incident at Tientsin, Mr. Chamberlain agreed. Replying to further questions, the Premier agreed that outbreaks were confined to unrest under Japanese control. Mr. Anthony Eden (Conservative) asked whether it was correct that Japan had not asked for any of these conversations to be extended beyond the local issue at Tientsin. Mr. Chamberlain replied: “I did not quite say that. The conversations between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita did range over the general background against which the Japanese Government has considered that the Tientsin incident should be taken into account, but Japan has not suggested that discussion or settlement of these general questions should be ? condition of these negotiations.” Meanwhile, Britain’s observations cn the discussions between Sir Robert Craigie and Mr Arita will b- trarsniihcd to Sir Rooert ver’ after which another discussion is expected to take place.

FACES SLAPPED BY SOLDIERS AMERICAN AND CANADIAN WOMEN SHANGHAI, July 17. Two American women, and one Canadi.’Ji woman had their faces slapped by Japanese soldiers at Wuhu. TOKIO TALKS RESUMING BLOCKADE OF FUKIEN COAST Received July 19. 1 a.m. TOKIO, July 18. The British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, has received instructions from London and the talks with Mr. Arita will be resumed to-morrow. The British United Press Shanghai correspondent says that the blockade of the Fukien coast is being tightened up. The Japanese announce that they are closing the harbours of Santua, Loyuan and Schacheng by means of booms. Third-Power nationals and ship's are requested to evacuate. LEGATION IN TOKIO COMMONWEALTH PLAN POSTPONED CANBERRA, July 17. In view of the disturbed relations between Britain and Japan, the Commonwealth Government does not in-'