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THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 7, 1988
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WORM TURNING?
Lord Strabolgi's Comment On Far East Policy
Lord Plymouth Indicates
Firmer Attitude
London, To-day. "Pronouncements have recently been made in Tokyo regarding the formation of an economic and political bloc, comprising Japan, Manchu- kuo and China, in which Japan would be the predominant partner.
the Chinese to import from Britain and make up for some of the fall- ing off in exports from Britain, and "I would ask Lord Plymouth if we
MR. PIROW'S
are simultaneously examining the PESSIMISM NOT
question of discouraging the sup- ply of credits and war material to Japan."
"I am not suggesting a Govern- ment boycott, but there are ways and means open to the Government.
WHOLLY SHARED
London, To-day.
to bring pressure on those who are supplying Japan with credits and
The pessimistic tone of the war material to desist therefrom. South-African Defence Minister "I fail to understand why, if we Oswald Pirow's declaration con- collaborate with France and the
United States, other signatories of cerning the European situation–is the Nine-Power Treaty are not not shared by the morning papers
"I wish to say categorically that the British Govern-called into collaboration.
ment cannot possibly subscribe to this attitude. time of the Nine-Power Treaty, prominence to his statements.
Lord Strabolgi said that at the although they give considerable Thus declared Lord Plymouth in the House of Lords Germany and Russia were off the Mr. Pirow's belief that war in
debate initiated by Lord Elibank last night. "The position is governed by the British interests as one of the car Washington Treaty and by other in-dinal points of. their policy in the ternational agreements to which Far East, and they consider that the British Government were, in this end can best be achieved by conjunction with a large number an early and equitable settlement
TREATY UNDERTAKING
diplomatic map and he suggested was due with the original signa- that a new Washington Conference tories plus Germany and Russia.
GERMAN OPPORTUNITY Referring to Munich, he said received many
of other Governments, parties. of the Sino-Japanese conflict, just that Germany had
to both and taking into account benefits and it was now our turn "Particularly, I would like to re-the interests of third parties." to ask something in exchange.
call that the parties of the Nine-
The British Government had in-
Europe is unavoidable is rejected Government circles refuse to commit by the majority of the papers, while
themselves merely stating that as a Minister of a British Dominion, Mr. Pirow has the privilege of free ex- pression of opinion.
com-
war is never inevitable and
The "Daily Mail" emphasises that
the. events of last September have prov- The policy of achievement would ed this definitely. The European Power Treaty bound themselves topdicated to the Japanese and the be a two-way policy. The appease-powers do not need Mr. Pirow's respect the sovereignty, indepen-Chinese that they were ready to ment we most value is anything warning. dence, and the territorial adminis-use their good offices, and will not that will help our trade. We are NON-CONSTRAUCTIVE trative integrity of China and
to hesitate to take all the necessary a trading nation, so is Germany. Regarding the Minister's provide the fullest opportunity for steps as soon as the moment ap-
In China, our interests as mer-ment on the refugee problem, the China to develop a stable Govern-pears appropriate. "I must admit, chants are absolutely identical. political correspondent of the "Dally ment, to maintain the open door however, that there is no present The Anti-Comintern Pact, the Mail" declares that London Parlia- and to refrain from taking advan-indication that the moment is close Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Triangle and mentary circles expected him tage of conditions in China to ob- at hand.
other similar fantasies will pass. bring this into a direct relationship tain special rights and privileges.
What will remain are mutual in-with the colonial question and fol- Lord terests as trading nations. Those lowing his failure to do so his den- infringing on the rights of sub-
satis-interests are threatened. jects of the respective States.
had
unciatory but non-constructive re- Is not the time ripe to ask Ger- marks have occasioned apprehension for many for appeasement. on those rather than a relief.
lines? Why should we not ask the
"The British Government could not consider an alteration brought about by unilateral-action and our stand is the same as that of the United States as laid down in a statement to the press on: Novem- ber 11..
|
"WORM TURNED" Lord Strabolgi said that Plymouth had made the most factory statement they had from the Government
years.
bench
to
"It looks as if the National Gov-Germans to join us and other Nine-Telegraph" expresses the view that Writing similarly the "Daily Power signatories and Russia to Mr. Pirow's picture of Europe's make joint representations for the future is painted in too sombre.co maintainence of the open-door?·
ernment worm has at last turned." (laughter).
If the grant of export credits to China were done on a sufficiently generous scale, it would really take the form of a commercial loan to China.
A
That would do more than any-
STEP WELCOMED
lours.-Trans-Ocean.
thing else to get rid of what Mr. Pirow has called the psychology of | war and would create a revolution Lord Plymouth: "I did not in men's minds which would cer-
PRINCE PAUL quite say that. What I said was tainly have an effect on Japan. that we were examining certain
LEAVES proposals regarding export
London, To-day. credits and were prepared to Lord Elibank, using the right to Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia sympathetically consider those speak a second time, welcomed the left England yesterday on his re- and any others with that object | Government's definite step to take turn trip to Belgrade. in view."
a stand in the Far East and
Princess Olga has remained in EXPORT CREDITS
thought that Lord Plymouth's re- England to visit her sons, Princes Lord Strabolgi, continuing, said marks with regard to the Nine-Alexander and Nicholas who limit. that export credits granted
long-term agreement would enable "forward,
on Power Treaty as a definite step|attending an English boys school.—
Reuter.
Trans-Ocean.
"This statement would serve equally to define the attitude of the British Government and, I think, it necessary to emphasise the conse quences which would result from the Japanese exclusive policy."
INCALCULABLE REPERCUSSIONS "The Japanese Government must realise that such a policy, would in- evitably have incalculable reper- cussions in other parts of the world, the consequences of which would be impossible to Therefore, we trust that they will agree that the interests of both Governments lie in other directions. I fully admit the position is unsa- tisfactory, and it is so, for reasons only too present in the minds of your lordships.
"The Government is prepared to consider all possible measures to safeguard British interests.
"None of Lord Elibank's pro- posals have escaped the British Government's attention. A num- ber of proposals are now under consideration for assisting China in connection with ex- port credits and the British · Government will sympathetical- ly examine this and similar re- quests by the Chinese Govern- ment,
"Unless some guarantee that ac- tion such as Lord Elibank had aug- gested, is likely to be effective, it would do more harm than good.
CARDINAL POINT. "The British Government will continue to treat the protection of
A new series of photographs of Deanna Durbin, the popular young cinema star, who is appearing shortly, at the Queen's Theatre in "That Certain Ago,” has been taken. Above are three of the series, the remainder of which will be published in the "China Mafig' Deanna Durbin fans can obtain hand. some copies of the original in postcard size free of charge by applying to the editorial department of the "China Mall.””
are