BRITISH STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20006, 3 August 1939, Page 5

BRITISH STAND

NEGOTIATIONS IN TOKIO HOSTILITY MUST CEASE NEW I'.S.A. PROTEST ROMBINO OF MISSION (Eloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 3. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 2 The Tokio paper, Nichi Nichi Shhnbun, reports Hurt the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, called on the Japanese Minister-at-large in China, Mr. Kato, and declared that Britain might discontinue the negotiations unless Japan conrolled the anti-British movement, in China' and Japa n . Sir Robert Craigie is said to have asked that this be conveyed to the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. 11. ,-\nta. Mr. Kato replied that the antiBritish movement and the Tokio negotiations were entirely separate affairs. He added that the demonstrations in Japan were spontaneous and not sponsored by the Government, which would interfere only if law and order were endangered. He denied! that Japan was connected with tlie movement in China. The Japanese Foreign Oflice spokesman applied the soft pedal to Sir Robert Cruigie's threats by giving the opinion that the negotiations were progressing smoothly and were not influenced by the action of the United Slates. He denied that Sir Robert Craigie had threatened to walk out. Other newspapers, however, declare that Britain has assumed an unreasonably obstinate attitude over the currency question. The Tofcto correspondent of the British United I res’ says that the success of the ncgi ... ;...as depends on whether Japan will compromise, on the silver currency issues. Britain is reported to be willing to surrender the silver if the Japanese-controlled Hopeh and Chanar political councils establish proof of previous ownership and also if Japan relaxes the demands regarding British support of Chinese currency. The Independent Cable Service says that the Japanese spokesman denied the report in the Nichi Nichi Shimbun that. Sir Robert Craigie informed Mr. Kato that unless the antiBritish demonstration was stopped it would be difficult for the British to continue the conversations. The earlier report that Britain was ready to surrender the I'ouv Chinese is not confirmed. It is reliably stated in official circles in London that the report of Sir Robert Graigic’s threat to end the Tokio negotiations is not a fabrication. Is is pointed out that the agreement between. «ur Robert Craigie and Mr. Arita, which was the basis of the negotiations, provides that Japan should maintain order in the occupied areas and) that a continuance of activities by the disorders shows that Japan either is unwilling or unable to fulfil the obligation. The United States Charge d’AfTaires at Tokio, Mr. Dooman, protested to the Japanese Government against the conversion of the anti-British campaign in China into an anti-white campaign, imperilling American residents. He requested Japan’s immediate intervention. The United States Embassy at Pekin has protested against the thirty-third bombing of the Lutheran mission at Kioh.sen in the Honan province within five months. One of six bombs which directly hit the mission killed six Chinese patients and wounded one.