FAR EAST POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1940, Page 5

FAR EAST POLICY

MINISTERS QUESTIONED IN BRITAIN TREATY OBLIGATIONS MENTIONED. POSITION OF THE SOVIET & UNITED STATES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, July 18. In a written answer in the House of Commons to a member who asked if, in any negotiations with Japan, the British Government would avoid giving the impression that it wished to exercise pressure on the Chinese Government oi’ encourage the defeatist Chinese Government at Nanking, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Butler, said that the Government had no intention of exercising pressure on the Chinese Government, and did not recognise Mr Wang Ching-wei's Government at Nanking. This answer is an interesting pendant to Mr Churchill's statement on the Burma Road and the question to which it was a reply reflects anxieties voiced in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, where the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, made a statement in the same terms as Mr Churchill. In the House of Commons, Sir John Wardlaw-Milne (Conservative) asked for an opportunity to debate the position in the Far East in view of the decision announced by the Prime Minister, “which I can only assume must have been come to with reluctance and in view of the possible farreaching consequences from it.” Mr Churchill declined to add to his carefully-considered statement when other members raised the question of the Nine-Power Treaty. Finally, Mr Hore-Belisha (Liberal National) asked: “Is the Prime Minister satisfied that the concession made to Japan will, in fact, secure the goodwill of that country toward this country and has the Government operated throughout in consultation and, aS far as possible, in agreement with the United States and Soviet Governments?” Mr Churchill replied: “I can give no assurance. All that has happened to us in the Far East is probably to be very much influenced by what is happening to us here. Naturally we have made sure that what we have done has not been done without taking into full consideration the attitude of the two very great Powers mentioned. Following the statement in the House of Lords, Lord Samuel immediately asked for a secret session to discuss it, and criticism came from Lord Addison, Lord Lytton and Lord Marley. . Lord Addison raised the Nine-Power Treaty, and, replying on this point, Lord Halifax said: “I was careful to say that the Government had not been unmindful of the various obligations accepted by this country, and to the Nine-Power Treaty this country was, of course, a party.” , Lord Halifax assured Lord Marley that the British Ambassadors in Moscow and Washington, as well as the Canadian Government, had been kept fully informed of what the British Government had in mind. Lord Caldecote later announced that there would be a secret session of the House of Lords next Wednesday. JAPANESE CABINET AGREEMENT ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ANNOUNCED BY WAR MINISTER. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) TOKIO, July 19. After a conference 1 of four key Cabinet members, Lieut.-General Tojo, the Minister for War, announced complete agreement on national defence and foreign policy. It is presumed that this referred to the -forecast that Japan intends more aggressive international action.

Tne Cabinet is expected to be completed tomorrow. SUPPOSED PLANS DUTCH INDIES & INDO-CHINA. UNDERSTANDING WITH AXIS SOUGHT. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 19. _ The Associated Press of Americas Tokio correspondent says the Government has reached a decision on relations with Italy and Germany. Informed quarters asserted that it called for a closer working arrangement with the Axis. Whether the East Indies and Indo-China would be taken under protection remains unclarified. It is considered certain that Japan will first attempt an understanding with Berlin on any action in the South Seas. AUSTRALIA’S PART IN REACHING AGREEMENT. COMMENT BY MINISTER. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Commenting on the British Government’s temporary agreement with Japan over the Burma issue', the Federal Minister for External Affairs, Mr McEwan, said it should ease the tension in the Far East and enable difficulties between the two countries to be examined in a calmer light and also prevent matters drifting into a serious threat against peace in the Pacific. He added that Australia had played a prominent part in reaching the agreement. MEDIATION NOT WANTED ACCORDING TO JAPANESE SPOKESMAN. TOKIO, July 19. The spokesman of the Foreign Office. Mr Suma, referring to Mr Churchill's speech, said: “Japan at present is not contemplating inviting a third Power to mediate in the Sino-Japanese hostilities. Any such mediation must bo based on Japan's terms.” Regarding the American nomination of Mi- Roosevelt. Mr Suma said: “We are not in the American election. We are not interested about the man but in the Administration’s foreign policy, specially regarding the Far East. Questioned about a Japanese-Ameri-can raprochcmeiit, Mr Suma replied: “Cur cards have been, on flic table for the past half-year. It is never too kite to readjust our relations.”