IN THE FAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 8

IN THE FAR EAST

REOPENING AT YANGTSE ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES RESTORATION OF TRADE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyngnt, NEW YORK, Dec. 22 The Foreign Office spokesman in Tokio confidently predicts that the United States will reply before Christmas to Japan’s notice of intention to reopen the Yangtse River, says the correspondent of the United Press. The Shanghai correspondent of the New York Times says evidence is multiplying that the proposed reopening is based on a genuine desire by the Japanese to restore trade and to show that her previous promises were not empty words. Most of the exports of the region are foods and raw materials which may justifiably be claimed as essential to support the Japanese military forces on the Yangtse. However, in spite of professions of good faith, adds the correspondent, pessimism continues. Everybody remembers the promises and commitments made for two and a-half years by the Foreign Office, which the military authorities would not permit to be implemented. It is feared that the plan to reopen the Yangtse is in the same category as the reopening of Tsingtao port to foreign trade, which proved meaningless and valueless to Americans and Europeans, as it was surrounded by license permit systems which hopelessly barred trade. TRADE RELATIONS JAPAN AND UNITED STATES TO CONTINUE UNIMPEDED NO RISE IN CHARGES (ULited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 23, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22 The Tokio correspondent of the United Press says that the Foreign Office spokesman indicated that Japanese-American trade relations

would continue unimpeded after the expiration of the Commercial Treaty on January 26. The United States has given an assurance that there will be no increase in wharfage charges for Japanese ships, penalty duties on Japanese goods, or inconvenience to Japanese residents in the United States. The indications were given following an hour’s conference between Admiral Nomura, Foreign Minister, and Mr Crew, American Ambassador.