HITCH AT TOKIO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20017, 16 August 1939, Page 7

HITCH AT TOKIO

ECONOMIC ISSUES RAISED JAPS. BLAME BRITONS BLOOD -AN D-1 RON BASIS AID OF OTHER POWERS (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 15, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14. The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that Major-General Muto, in his statement before his departure for Tientsin, points out that the negotiations between Britain and Japan at Tokio were smooth until economic issues arose on which the British delayed, first theoretically and then on the grounds of consulting America and France. He said that the Britons misunderstood the purpose of the conference. They assumed that the blockade of Tientsin was intended to exert pressure, whereas it was a military action due to the need for preserving order in North China. Moreover the Japanese believed that Britain desired to settle the economic issues on a blood-and-iron basis instead of by mutual agreement, namely an attempt to induce America and France to exert pressure on Japan rather than secure a negotiated settlement. The press forecasts an early renewal of the conversations. Meanwhile the British Ambassador to Japan, Sir Robert Craigie, is awaiting further London instructions. The Tokio correspondent of the News Chronicle says that the Jap-anese-controlled provincial Government has taken over the administration of the British-owned coal mines in North Hunan.