CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 90

ORIGINAL

ON 50055/39

Extines from Review of Chinese Affaws

in Malayer for July,

Ú •

-18-

1939

53838/50/31

LOCAL REACTIONS TO THE TOKYO TALKS

12, CVII.

90

On the 23rd and 24th July news from Japanese sources (the Eastern News Agency) was published in the local press

stating that on Saturday, the 22nd, an agreement had been

reached between the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachi ro

Arita, and the British Ambassador Sir Robert Craigie, at

the talks at Tokyo resulting from the Tientsin situation.

The Japanese Premier, Baron Hiranuma, was reported to have

said that the basic principle on which agreement was reached

would be applied to the whole of China and not limited to

Tientsin and that Britain would not now assist the Chiang regimè

by granting credits to it. A list of eight probable demands

to be made by Japan at the Tokyo Conference was also given.

Summaries of editorials on this subject which have appeared

in the local Chinese Press will be found under the heading

"Editorials from local Chinese Newspapers" on pages 39-44

of this Review. On the whole the first reaction was

commendably reserved but, though recognising the probability

of Japanese exaggeration, indicated suspicion of Britain S

or rather of the Prime Minister's real intentions,

J

The

fact is that any apparent weakening of Britain towards

Japan's demands - which are generally recognised as not being

confined to the Tientsin issue alone would be a blow to

the morale of the Chinese Government and its supporters,

among whom one may certainly count the vast majority of

Chinese in Malaya.

Mr. Tan Kah Kee the chairman of the Southseas

-

China Relief Fund Union was very quick off the mark, and on

Sunday afternoon, the 23rd July, sent telegrams to the

leading London newspapers and to Mr. Winston Churchill,

Page 90Page 91