BLAMING BRITAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20000, 27 July 1939, Page 7

BLAMING BRITAIN

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN FRUSTRATION IN CHINA REASONS FOR HOSTILITY LONDON PRESS OPINION (Mice. T<4. Copyright—United l’rour. Assn.) (British Official Wiroless.) Reed. 1.50 p.m. RUGBY, July 25. The Times in a leading article on the recognition of British neutrality as revealed in the preliminary AngloJapanc.se agreement says that Britain’s attitude falls into line with that an-eady adopted by America, Fiance and other countries with large interest'; in China and a great deal dtipencis on how the instructions duly communicated to the British local authorities in China can be translated into practice. “Britain draws a clear distinction between the local attitude which is to be adopted in tile region of hostilities and Britain's general policy towards China. Mr. Chamberlain emphatically declared in the House of Commons that the new agreement did not connote any change whatever in the British policy in China, but the Government clearly acceded to the Japanese suggestion that it should endeavour to regard the Sino-Jap-anese hostilities with more understanding of Japan’s difficulties and the Japanese side of the case.

“This already is being done by other Powers in the Far East, but the British concessions, partly by choice, partly by accident and partly by Japanese design, have come to be regarded as pro-Chinese strongholds in the Japanese-occupied territory. “Baffled in their final hopes of a final complete victory after so many success in the field, the Japanese authorities, military and civilian alike, have attempted to throw the responsibility for their failure on to Britain. The attitude which is_ now prescribed for British residents should remove this pretext of British obstruction, though it may be suggested that the real obstacle to the achievement of the Japanese purpose is the undying spirit of independence of the Chinese army, which shows no sign of yielding. But hope may also be entertained that the Japanese, on their side, will show proof that they mean to keep the agreement, in the spirit as well as the letter, of calling off the unscrupulous anti-British campaigns which they have organised both in China and Japan. It is obvious that the obligation of honour is on the Japanese now to prevent them if the British residents are to carry out their part of the new bargain and if the Tokio negotiations are to be carried on witli any prospect of success."