ANNOUNCED BY JAPANESE PREMIER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 5

ANNOUNCED BY JAPANESE PREMIER

On Basic Principles Applying to Whole of China “BIG SHOCK TO CHUNGKING GOVERNMENT” DEPRIVATION OF CREDITS FOR MUNITIONS (By Telegraph.--Press Association.—-Copyright.) TOKIO, July 22. , It is officially stated that the Foreign Office has announced an agreement on the general background oi tne Tientsin situation and a statement is being issued simultaneously in Tokio and London on Monday. The agreement was reached after conversations lasting 45 minutes between the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, and the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Arita. . The Japanese Prime Minister. Baron Ilirannma, told the Press that the conference has passed the crisis. He added that the basic principle evolved applied to the whole of China and wa,s not limited to Tientsin. This should make it clear to Britain that “British rights and interests in China can be recognised only if Britain recognises the relations of mutual aid and interdependence between Japan Manchukuo and China. “Britain is unlikely to assist General Chiang Kai-shek by credits,’’ Baron Hiranuma continued. “Otherwise such action will be regarded as hostile to Japan. The deprivation of British credits will prevent China from buying munitions. ‘The British and Japanese basic agreement wdl not only prove a bi" shock to the Chungking Government but will also serve favourably in disposing of the China incident. I expect Britain to bring home the spirit of the new arrangements not only to the British authorities in China but also to the British nation generally.” .... TI - Regarding the anti-British agitation in Japan, Baron Jliraniima concluded : “The Government will control that campaign, which runs counter to its policy now that the Anglo-Japanese conference has made .such progress. Japan has already formulated a basic policy toward the European situation and will pursue it irrespective of the outcome of the Tokio parley.”