BRITAIN HAS GIVEN NO GUARANTEES OF NEUTRALITY Important Conference In London Discusses The Shanghai Crisis: Closely Watching Events GENERAL EVACUATION OF BRITAIN TO
BRITISH CIVILIANS
HINT OF POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL
THREAT TO JAPAN
London, To-day.
A conference at the Foreign Office yesterday morning between Sir Robert Vanisttart, Perman- ent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and the Directors of Naval and Military Operations and a number of technical advisers, decided to arrange for the evacuation of British civilians from Shang- hai.
Instructions have been sent to the British Con- sul-General in Shanghai empowering him to make provision for evacuation.
It was also decided at the conference to send a further battalion of British troops from Hong Kong to Shanghai. The battalion, the Royal Ulster Rifles, is leaving the Colony by the Empress of Asia to-day.
The British Ambassador in Nanking, Sir Hughe Knatchbull- Hugessen, has lodged a strong pro- test with the Chinese Government in regard to the bombing of the cruiser HALS. Cumberland and the International Settlement, and urged on the Chinese Government the desirability of preserving the Set- tlement from becoming a theatre of
war
A parallel protest was made by the United States Ambassador. Mr. Nelson T. Johnson.
Reports that Britain has bound herself to adopt an atti- tude of neutrality in the com- flict zre not confirmed in British circles in London, where it is pointed out that the British Government is closely watching the situation and is ready to take whatever measures its future course may demand, especially in re- gard to the defence of the Bri- tish interests in China.
DUTCH WARSHIPS MAY GO
The Hague, To-day. The Netherlands Government has not yet decided whether to despatch warships to Shanghai for the moment.
Dutch ships, it is stated, will assist in any evacuation of Dutch residents-Reuter.
ROSEMEYER WINS PESCARA ROAD RACE
Pescara, To-day. Rosemeyer, Germany's ace racing
Information is continually being driver, repeated his victory in the exchanged between the British, Pescara motor race of last year French and United States Govern- ments, as well 25 consultation i about the best methods of exercis ing a pacific, influence
on the adversaries."
INTERNATIONAL THREAT ?
when he drove his giant Auto-Union racer to a thrilling victory-yester- day at an average speed of 141.009 kilometres per hour. :
Rosemeyer, whose time was the fastest yet recorded in the race, received a prize presented by King Victor Emmanuel and a gold medal presented by Signor Mussolini.
It is hoped that the fact that China is a most important market for Japanese exports will carry
Second was another German en- weight in Tokyo, where it should trant, driving a Mercedes-Benz. be realised that a general con-Trans-Ocean:
flagration will cause collapse of the
Chinese market for a long time to
sent stage, only rouse national
At the same time, anything in feeling nd make it harded for
ternationa
the nature
reat to Japan might, at the pre
counsels to pre
Sir famous ficials
INCREASE
SECRET SERVICE
London, To-day.
The British Government intends to greatly strengthen the Secret Service and counter-espionage se vice, declares "The People"
At the beginning of the next ses- sion of Parliament, the paper de- clares, the Government will submit supplementary estimates amounting to £100,000 for this purpose.
Every department of the Intelli- gence of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Foreign Office and Scotland Yard will be strengthened, some de- partments being increased to twice their present size Trans-Ocean.
Dr. H.H. Kung In Vienna
ma To-day.
Chinese Minister of Finance,
H Kang
rrived here yes- from Prague. He is leaving
sations are tak Vienna b in well- considered
Kung will meet Chancellor, Dr. Kurt where the
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