Military Control of Shanghai

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 59, 2 December 1937, Page 5

Military Control of Shanghai

(British Official Wireleps.)

JAPAN HAS NO RIGHT Britain Negotiating on Customs Issue TOKIO'S ASSURANCES

(Beeeived 2. 12.45 p,m.) EUGBY, Dec. 1. Eeplying in the House of Commons to a question, Mr. Anthony Eden, Foreign Minister, said the had seen the report of an alleged statement by Prinee Konoye, Japanese Premier, about the possibility of Japan taking military control of Shanghai. Mr Eden said that the Govermnent c.ould not, of course, recognise the right of any of th§ Gettlement Poweys to take unilateral action for the solution of problems arising from the administration of thp Settlpment, Eeplying to a question /r egar ding thp Chinese Customs service at Sh&nghai, Mr, Eden said that publicity had been given to a number of utterances attributed to the Japanese authorities at Shanghai which appeared to constitufe a seripus threat 'to the proper functioning of thq Chinese xnaritime Customs and the service of foreign loans secured by Customs revenues, The British Governmeut had accordingly entered into consultation with America and France. Thp Governmeut hfid reminded Japan that the Chinpse maritime Customs at all times had been an international interest and that they expeeted to be fully consulted regarding any arrange? ment reaehed for the carrying-on of the Customs serviee during the present hostilities. Similar xepresentations had been made by America and France, Discus? gions were still proeeeding. The discussions referred to by Mr. Eden are, it is understood, proeeeding at Shanghai between the " countries concerned and Japan in the light of assurances which had been given in ToMo that due consideration would be accorded to the requirements of _ the various Powers before any provision al agrpement wap made between Japan and official§ qf thfi Custoius administration.