CO129-560-16 Traffic of arms to China 11-11-1937 - 1-1-1938 — Page 37

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2.

e can probably rely on some rather feeble help from the ore responsible elements in Government in combating misrepresentation, but I am inclined to think that amongst the younger and less responsible elements in the Government departments, aray, and navy, the anti-British movement is secretly encouraged. Difficulty is that Anglo-phobia has become almost synonymous with patriotis in the present emergency, and lack of moral courage (which seems to be an outstanding defect in Japanese character) prevents even our friends here from coming out in the open and exposing patent

misrepresentations.

Clearly we cannot allow ourselves to be deflected in the slightest by these manifestations either from an attitude of strict neutrality in present dispute or from a firm defence

But feel that any of British interests wherever affected. false move on our part now might have serious consequences and that an effort should be made to correct some of the misconceptions sincerely held in many quarters here. Considera- tion that such action might not be particularly pleasing to Chinese and their more ardent supporters in England should not, I submit, be allowed to outweigh importance of arresting rapid deterioration in situation here. Attitude of these supporters has already injured, though I believe not fatally, chances of United ingdon exercising a determining influence on the course of peace negotiations i.e. at the moment when China will most

need our help.

I put forward certain recommendations in my telegram No. 632. To these I should like to add the following:

1. That it should be made clear by question and answer in the House that our official attitude has been strictly neutral throughout; that no money has been lent to China

since....