REVIEW OF POSITION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 139, 4 February 1932, Page 3

REVIEW OF POSITION

(British Official Wireless)

FOREIGN SECRETARY OUTLINES MEASURES TAKEN BY BRITAIN PROPOSALS BEING PRESSED;

RUGBY, Tuesday. In the Honse of Commons which re-assembled to-day, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir John Simon) reviewed the situation in the Far East. The Minister stated hostilities of a very serious nature broke out on the night of January 28 between the Chinese and Japanese at Shanghai. The British Government regarded these events with grave concern, both in the general interests of peace and owing to their proximity to the International Settlement with consequent danger to the lives and property of British nationals. They had made pressing representations, more than once repeated and had urged the Japanese and Chinese Governments and commanders on the spot to accept a scheme put forward as the result of the efforts of the British and United States Consuls-General in Shanghai for the establishment of a neutral zone between the Chinese and Japanese forces. "I would now add — and this is of great importance — that instructions were sent to His Majesty's representatives at Tokio and Nanking to deliver this morning to those Governments certain proposals arid press strongly for their acceptance, indicating that they are being simultaneously urged upon the other party. These proposals have been concurred in by the United States Government and ; the French and Italian Governments were asked to act similarly. I have i since received information that these : Governments have acted in the sensp 1 desired." i