JOINT DEMARCHE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 9

JOINT DEMARCHE

BRITAIN. FRANCE U.S.AHAINAN ISLAND OCCUPATION SPECULATION IN LONDON [By Telegraph—Pre?” AsnocHtion—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 16. Well-informed circles believe that one of the reasons for the sudden return of the United States Ambassador, Air. J P. Kennedy, from America a fortnight earlier than he was scheduled is the desire in America for a joint demarche by Britain, France and the United States regarding the Japanese occupation of Hainan.

BRITISH INTERESTS

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Feb. 15. Questioned in the House of Commons to-day on the Japanese occupation of Hainan Island, Mr. R. A. Butler, Foreign Under-Secretary, said that the Japanese Government had stated that it had no territorial designs and that the occupation of the island would not last longer than was required by military needs. In another answer, Mr. Butler said that Britain and France were in constant communication regarding the most appropriate methods of safeguarding the common interests in the South China seas. The Government also had under constant review measures best calculated to protect British interests in the Far East.

BRITISH AND FRENCH AID FOR CJTINFSE

'.J, : ON '\')E «tjv;re of IS . A ■ b Received Feb. 1 i. 11.5 p.m. TOKIO, Feb. 17. Tile nowspaper Asahi says that Japan will occupy Hainan Island as long as General Chiang Kaishek resists. “Japan must remain in South China while the British and French continue to aid China,’’ says the article. “General Kanazawa declares that armed junks have been transhipping arms at sea and bringing them to Hainan to await a favourable moment to run to the mainland. This is now impossible."

INTEREST IN NETHERLANDS

Received Feb. 17, 5.5 p.m. THE HAGUE, Feb. 16. The possibility of the Japanese using Hainan Island as a base for

attack on the Dutch East Indies was mentioned in Parliament. A Government speaker replied that, while the strategic importance of Hainan in the event of a conflict in the Pacific was undeniable, Japan at present was sufficiently preoccupied

FOREIGN SHIPS

PORT OF KAIMENTING JAPANESE WARNING TOKIO, Feb. 16. Preparatory to further naval operations. foreign ships have been asked to withdraw 30 miles from Haimenting in the Yangtze-kiang estuary. Japan disclaims responsibility for damage to vessels which refuse to obey. The trade of Haimenting has increased greatly since the occupation of the larger ports.

SHOT BY ASSASSINS

CHINESE JUDGE AND A DETECTIVE SHANGHAI, Feb. 16. Assassins shot dead a Chinese Judge and a detective employed by the Japanese administration.