BRITAIN & JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1940, Page 6

BRITAIN & JAPAN

DISCUSSIONS IN PROGRESS IN TOKIO OVER QUESTION OF ARRESTS. TRAFFIC ON BURMA ROAD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 8. Questioned in the House of Commons on the arrests of British subjects the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Pt. A. Butler) said the British Ambassador to Japan (Sir Robert Craigie) had had a number of discussions with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and it was hoped that proceedings in connection with these cases would be expedited. It is authoritatively stated in London that any suggestions that war materials are still proceeding to China by the Burma route, in contravention of the recent understanding between the British and Japanese Governments, is devoid of foundation. It is pointed out that medical supplies are not included in the categories of goods the transport of which has been restricted. These categories were described by Mr Butler in the House of Commons, as motor-spirit, iron and steel railway track material, rolling stock and component parts of motor-vans, lorries, trailers, chassis and parts thereof, arms ammunition and parts thereof, and military explosives.