FRANK EXCHANGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 23 November 1939, Page 5

FRANK EXCHANGE

AMERICAN VIEWS

EFFORTS BY JAPAN

COOL RECEPTION

FUTURE OF TRADE

(Reed. Nov. 23, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK. Nov. 22.

The Shanghai correspondent of the United Press of America states that the Japanese Ambassador at large, Mr. Kato, said he was seeing the United States Ambassador, Mr. Johnson, for a “frank exchange of views.” He saw the British Ambassador, Sir Archibald Clark-Kerr. yesterday. Diplomats believe that the United States Government intends to go as far as American public opinion permits in protecting British and French interests at Tientsin and elsewhere. The American marines at Tientsin will .possibly be reinforced. A Washington message reports that fresh Japanese overtures there from Tokio for a readjustment of relations met with an indifferent reception by the State Department. The Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, said there was nothing new in the situation, despite the advice that the ■Japanese Foreign Minister, Admiral Nomura, had personally expressed the hope that relations might be restored before the expiration of the commercial treaty on January 2G.

Mr. Welles also declined to comment on a statement by the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Horinouchi, that the Japanese were prepared to discuss some arrangement to prevent a rupture of trade relations.

Official silence reinforced what Mr. Welles had already said, in effect that the Japanese cannot expect to gain American favour until they cease interference with American trade in the East.

Congressional leaders have submitted to the department, for opinion several proposals for an embargo on American exports to Japan when the treaty expires.