1939-06-13 — Page 7

FAR EASTERN SITUATION

IN

DEBATED IN

ANXIETY OVER SHANGHAI'S FATE

London, To-day.

The Far East was to the forefront when the for- eign affairs debate in the House of Lords was resumed last night. Lord Cecil, from the Labour Opposition front bench, said: "I imagine Lord Halifax (the Foreign Secretary) would agree that the con- troversy which is raging in the terrible war in the Far East is precisely the same controversy as is raging fortunately not by war this moment in Europe.

at

"It is a broad question that we have to settle: is it legitimate for a country to make aggression or

LORDS

"L. G." BRITAIN'S NEXT FILM STAR

London, To-day. Mr. David Lloyd George will appear on the screen shortly.

His son, Major Richard Lloyd George, recently founded a film company which is now producing its first film,

The next film will show the former Prime Minister engaged in his hobby as an agricultural expert. Mr. Lloyd George, who himself manages his farm at Churt, in Surrey, has repeatedly won prizes at agricultural shows.

Trans-Ocean.

another to carry out what it regards as its mat- SPEAR CASE:

erial or even political interests; ought there to

continue the right of war on the part of any JAPS. NOT

sovereign State?

"That is the real issue, and it is unless we were going to use mili- being fought out in the Far East.tary force we must use some ac- "The Japanese invasion of China tion of that kind if we were going is being carried out with a ruth-to counter what Japan was doing lessness which must be the subject in China to British nationals and of admiration for a certain school] trade. in Germany but which would even impossible in Europe nowadays.

be Lord Elibank alluded to recent cases of Japanese action against British subjects.

He said it was

inconceivable that such a state of affairs should be reached in that part of the world, and he wondered when it was going to be stopped. TROOPS TO BE WITHDRAWN?

"I should be glad if Lord Hali- fax would give us an assurance not only that he is sympathetic to China I think everybody in the House is sympathetic--but that he cognises we ought to do everything possible to assist China and drive back the Japanese invasion from her shores.”

re-

WORSE THAN EVER Lord Elibank said the position in

the Far East was worse than ever.

The Yangtse Valley, traditional area of British trade, was entirely closed to us despite the fact that the Japanese were trading all the

time.

Currency and trade restrictions were worsening owing to the Yoko- hama Specie Bank creating a dollar of the same value as the National

dollar and insisting that therever possible it be used.

They were having some success, because after all Europeans have to obtain a living.

Just when all these cases were going on, there were strong ru- mours that one of the two bat- talions quartered in Shanghai was being removed in September.

Two battalions were hardly suf- ficient to guard the perimeter of one was the Settlement, and if withdrawn the Japanese would certainly interpret it as showing a waning interest on the part of the British Government on this ques- tion.

JUSTIFIED

LONDON, TO-DAY.

MR. STRANG

GIVEN CERTAIN POWERS

PARIS, TO-DAY. MR. WILLIAM STRANG, THE SPECIAL BRITISH ENVOY TO MOSCOW, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR CENTRAL EUROPEAN AFFAIRS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE, WILL BE ACCORDED A CERTAIN FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE SOVIET GOVERN- MENT, ACCORDING TO FRENCH DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES.

He is not only in possession of a number of compromise proposals drawn

up by the British and French Governments, but has also been empowered by Lord Halifax to alter these proposals or to inter- pret them according to his own views, as long as any changes do not deviate from general principles and the direction of negotiations.

The Quai d'Orsay was inactive yesterday morning because M. ALLUDING IN THE HOUSE | Georges Bonnet, the Foreign Minis- OF LORDS YESTERDAY TO ter, did not return from his week- THE SPEAR CASE, THE FOR-end in the country until towards EIGN SECRETARY, LORD 'noon. HALIFAX, SAID THE BRITISH

The Council of Ministers expect- MILITARY ATTACHE'S JOUR- NEY WAS DEVOID OF ANY ed to take place yesterday forenoon will not be held until to-day ULTERIOR PURPOSE, AS SUG-

forenoon. Trang Ocean. GESTED BY THE JAPANESE.

However, whatever the Japanese suspicions, they should not have detained Col. Spear once his ident- ity had been established.

Lt. Cooper had reported that Col. Spear was being properly treated, and Lord Halifax had no reason to anticipate that matters regarding Col. Spear would not be satisfac- torily settled.

TINKLER CASE

Regarding the Tinkler case, all fully the facts had not yet been took a very unfavourable view of Government events which happened between the time of his wounding and the time of his death.

They would probably make it an excuse for seizure of the Inter-established, but

national Settlement, as they were trying to do at Tientsin and Amoy.

DANGER DATE

the

to

The Ambassador in Tokyo had "As far as I can learn, it is not been instructed to protest and an idle rumour that the Japanese reserve all rights of this country had in view the seizure of Shang-for compensation, which, when the hai,

facts had been established, it might be thought right to claim.-Reuter.

JAPANESE TRUCULENCE

Dealing with trade from Shang-` "July 7, the second anniversary hai to British ports and the United of the war, is a danger date and States, Lord Elibank asked the it would be unwise to deplete our Government to take steps to ensure forces in Shanghai. that consular certificates be given "Rather should be strengthen for all goods exported from Shang-our forces and send further ships hai to British ports. He understood in order to prevent seizure if such an Order-in-Council would suffice is contemplated. for the purpose.

Coming to a far more serious side of the situation, Lord Elibank

TRIPARTITE ACTION

"Such action should be taken in drew attention to the great anxiety | consultation with the French and among British residents through- | American authorities.. out the East through the trucul-

sailors.

BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

tion of Shanghai would

"Any such step as the occupa-

vital blow not only to Britain but to Australia, New Zealand and Canada,"

mean a

Lord Elibank appealed to the Government to take action before it was too late.

"The Japanese seem to think the ence of Japanese soldiers and best way of coping with the so-

called anti-Japanese campaign in Lord Davis said: "Mere declara- He suggested the Government China is to take possession of tions of sympathy are cheap. The immediately inform the Japanese Chinese who are protected by for small British loan, and allowing Government that in reprisal foreign flags, like in

Tientsin and | China to import munitions, was the blockade of Tientsin, Japanese Amoy, and now apparently contem-creditable, but Lord Halifax should ships should be denied the use of plated in Shanghai.

have taken the lead in responding Singapore and Penang for goods

"If that occurred, trade in to Dr. Wellington Koo's eloquent in transit.

Shanghai would decrease practical-appeal at Geneva,

MUST DO SOMETHING

ly to nil, because all Chinese - A8 "The present British policy has soon as possible would leave the destroyed the British Empire's re- That would be a perfectly legal Settlement and repair to the In-putation for justice and fair play,” action under international law, and terior.

Reuter.

JAP. RAIDS IN KIANGSI

Kian, Kiangsi, To-day.

A fleet of 24 Japanese planes in different squadrons raided Kian, Taiho and Kanhsien, towns in Kiangsi, yesterday.

Two raids were staged on Kian, about 125 miles south-west of Nanchang. The first raid was con- ducted by six machines which dropped over 30 explosives. Scores of civilian casualties were made by. three planes.

Taiho, south-east of Kian, was attacked by nine Japanese aircraft which released over 10 missiles in- side and outside the town,

Six bombers raided Kanhsien, in southern Kiangsi, where they dumped over 20 missiles, Cen- tral News.

STEP THIS WAY FOR THE BIG SHOW!

Melody and mirthl Stars and bula honeys! Romance and spectacle?

HONOLULU

STARANNO ELEANDR.

ROBERT

POWELL-YOUNG

BIORCE

•

GRACTE

BURNS ALLEN

Directed by EDWARD BUZZELL Produced by JACK CUMMINGS

- Metro Gakleyen Mayer menum