CRUX AT TOKIO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20000, 27 July 1939, Page 5

CRUX AT TOKIO

ECONOMIC VISTA PROGRESS OF PARLEYS CHINESE DISAPPOINTMENT ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN LEAGUE PLEDGE REMINDER (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 27, 11 n.m.) LONDON, July 2G. A three-hour plenary session of the conference in Tokio to-day dealt with ithe committee’s report on the maintenance of peace and order in the Tientsin concession. Consideration of economic questions was to follow, i’h'is is regarded as the crux of the conference. Progress was made at the afternoon session on various questions relating co Tientsin. Others are to be ■ considered on Thursday." The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. H. Arita, reported to the Japanese Cabinet that the conference was progressing smoothly.

The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman was asked what bearing the Anglo-,Japanese agreement had on the Nine-Power Treaty. He replied that the treaty was moribund. He added, however, that Japan never Claimed sovereignty -in 'the occupied areas.

The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman declared in Tokio to-day that Japan interpreted the Anglo-Japanese agreement as applying throughout China and not merely to the occupied areas.

A Paris message states that Dr. Wellington Koo said: “Despite Mr. Chamberlain’s references to intolerable insults, it seems that Britain has again bowed to force and. swallowed pride. This cannot be expected to deter aggressors and promote confidence in Britain's efforts to build up a peace front in Europe. The apparent disposition to tolerate aggression in the Far East may soon prove a ooomerang. The agreement clearly is irreconcilable with the Nine-Power Treaty Covenant.”

Comment at Chungking

A message from Chungking quotes „he spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Office as stating that the authorities could not conceal their disappointment over the attitude of Treaty and the League Covenant.”

“It is regrettable,” he said, “that it should have noted the so-called special requirements of the Japanese forces in China, which are engaged, as Britain and other members of the League of Nations declared, in an invasion and aggression. It is surprising that the British Government has undertaken to make plain to the British authorities and nationals in China that they should refrain from acts and measures prejudicial to the attainment of the Japanese invading forces.

“The Chinese Government notes with some satisfaction, however, Mr. Chamberlain’s statement that it was impossible for Britain to change her policy at the dictation of any other Power, ancl also his assurance that the declaration has not connoted a change in the British policy in China, based on treaty and justice, besides Britain's own rights and interests, vhich she heretofore has consistently carried out.

League Resolutions

“Britain need scarcely be reminded of the pledge under various League resolutions to refrain from weakening Ghina’s powers of resistance and increasing her difficulties, and also to make all measures of aid to China as effective as possible. The Chinese Government believes, despite misgivings due to the announcement of the formula, that the British Government will take up an attitude_ consonant with her legal and moral obligations to China in dealing with the local issues at Tientsin and demonstrate firmness of policy concerning the situation created by Japanese aggression.” The Financial News says that Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek gave an assurance that the Chinese Government would maintain the value of national currency and supply foreign exchange for the purposes of legitimate transactions. Marshal Chiang added that a fall of currency would not impair China’s ability to continue her resistance, as long ago she had laid up adequate military stores and set aside foreign exchange to meet replenishment needs without the necessity of converting her gold reserves.