IN BRITISH FAR EASTERN POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1939, Page 6

IN BRITISH FAR EASTERN POLICY

Under Agreement with Japan STATEMENT BY MR CHAMBERLAIN FURTHER DISCUSSION TO BE CONFINED TO LOCAL ISSUES (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, July 24. In a statement in the House of Commons on the AngloJapanese negotiations, the Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain) said: “Since July 15, preliminary conversations have been proceeding in Tokio between Sir Robert Craigie (British Ambassador) and Mr 11. Arita (Japanese Foreign Minister) before starting negotiations for a settlement of the situation at Tientsin. At the outset of the discussions, Japan expressed the view that if progress were to be made in the removal of misunderstandings and the establishment of better relations, it was essential to recognise the background against which the situation at Tientsin should be viewed.

“This had nothing to do with Britain’s China policy, but was a question of fact. Hostilities were proceeding in China on a large scale. The Japanese Army had to provide for its own security and to maintain public order in the occupied areas and was therefore obliged to take action to see that these causes were not. prejudiced.”

Tn order to dear the way for the Tientsin discussions, the British Government accordingly agreed upon a formula with the Japanese Government (reported in an earlier cablegram.)

Replying to a question Mr Chamberlain said future discussions would be confined to local issues at Tientsin and that the declaration did not connote any change whatever in British policy in China.

In the course of his statement, Mr Chamberlain said : “The general position at Tientsin is unchanged and no incidents have been reported. The milk situation is fairly satisfactory. Supplies are good, but continue to be subject to delays at the barriers.”