THE BRITISH PROPOSALS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 7

THE BRITISH PROPOSALS.

ATTEMPT TO RESTORE PEACE. PROTESTS TO THE COMBATANTS. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE. | (Official Wireless.) (Received August 21, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. The attitude of the Japanese Government to the British proposals for restoring peace at Shanghai remains in doubt until the final Japanese reply has been received in London, but press reports, which Indicate marked hesitation on the part of tlie Tokio Government In accepting, have caused lively disappointment in British official circles. The disorders in which Japanese and Chinese forces have been involved at Shanghai are causing a mounting total of casualties among innocent civilians and damage to the property of other Powers, and even threaten to disorganise the commercial and financial centre, the activities of which it Is in the Interest of all Powers to maintain. These disorders, moreover, are local in origin and contradict the declared policies iif tiie Japanese and Chinese Governments, which are to seek a peaceful solution of the outstanding difficulties between them. The merit of the plan for the withdrawal of Japanese and Chinese military forces from the Shanghai zone is that It takes advantage of the essential fact about the situation as neutral observers on the spot see it —namely that the Chinese have no reason j for attacking any part of the In- | ternatlonal Settlement once the and naval, are withdrawn, and that the Japanese have no need of these reinforcements once the safety of their Nationals Is secured. The only remaining danger to the latter after the withdrawal of the Chinese military forces would he from irresponsible elements, which the settlement police, reinforced by contingents of British and other neutral troops, could easily control. Widespread Destruction. Reports from Shanghai Indicate widespread deslrurlion of properly in the area north of Snochow Creek by bombardment and lire. The Chinese and Japanese Governments are being informed that the British Government must reserve all its rights ns regards holding those Governments responsible for damage or loss lo either lif“ or properly that may he incurred hv British -su Meets as a result of tin* action of the Chinese and Japanese forces. A protest, is also being made to the Japanese Government regarding British properties In the International Settlement which have been occupied by the Japanese forces, and the Japanese Government is being informed that even if the occupation can ho .instilled ! compensa I ion for such occupation will I he payable, in addition to compensation J which may result from any loss or j damage, and that claims will llicrcforo he presented in due course. ! WHY JAPAN REJECTED THEM. A 1.1.1 J iATIONS AGAIN'T CHINA. PROTECTION OK NATIONALS. Culled Press Assn.— Klee. Tel. Copyright. LnNI,M)N, August 20. ‘I lie Tid\io i*onesp.nid- , til of the Time* iv; mis Dial the r, .i.ll- i.o the | posal I ra 1.-e Slims!..,, under | (T Japan Is not satisfied tint tin | Powers' forces would be sufficient to ' ; safeguard the !i\ os and interests of J,| in is responsible for the j ronmrenee !m M..da\, bill the Mayor I official reports' llally refuse.!. deelarjwoiiid. be only to the • advantage of