CO129-580-2 Sino-Japanese War- British policy and reactions in Hong Kong and Malaya 27-7-1939 - 3-2-1940 — Page 99

99

-27-

CVII

"A few weeks previously, on June 24th, speaking at

a mass meeting in South Wales he had said with particular reference to Japan and the Tientsin disturbances, 'No British Government could submit to dictation from another Power as to its foreign policy.'

The Anglo-Japanese declaration has been the subject of so much speculation and, in some quarters, misconstruction, that it is perfectly natural that the Chinese in Malaya should have been seriously perturbed.

I am glad to see that local opinion is leaning more and more to acceptance of the statement of the Prime Minister that the declaration means no change in British policy.

The words which I have just quoted are plain words and cannot be misunderstood. They are perfectly clear and obviously sincere.

I have, as I say, been glad to note the attitude adopted by our local Chinese, mainly because we sympathise so sincerely with them in the sufferings to which their countrymen are subjected and we should deplore the infliction on them of any unnecesary anxiety; but also because once again they have shown their sound commonsense in refusing to be stampeded by hasty conclusions, and by the specious arguments of those who by sowing the seeds of mistrust would do harm both to Great Britain and China.

Once more by their behaviour the Chinese of Malaya compel our admiration, and I hope that what I have said will give them confidence and support. Throughout this unhappy struggle the Governments of Malaya have shown, so far as they properly may, their full sympathy with the sufferers in China. The War Relief Fund is a case in point. Far from putting obstacles in the way we have allowed the collection of funds, and many millions of dollars have been sent to China which in the ordinary course might have been spent here.

All we ask is that in their turn the Chinese of Malaya will not be forgetful, but will remember the sympathy and assistance which without stint they have received here during the past two years, will remember that they are living in a Briti sh Dependency where they enjoy the blessings of liberty and justice, and will continue to comport themselves accordingly."

In general local Chinese opinion is still somewhat sceptical

and the outcome of the Tokyo talks is eagerly awaited.