1939-04-03 — Page 2

L

អ

(2)

POSITION OF

OF THE SINO-JAPANESE WAR

A

LONDON.

DEBATE took place in the House of Lords recently on the present position in the Far East. The sub- ject was raised on a motion by Lord Strabolgi, who enquired what was the latest information the Govern-. ment had with regard to the state of affairs in China and what steps were being taken to safeguard British trading interests. The debate was as follows:

BWCT

the

of the international

"

cur

Chinese Junks

that

Monday,

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

Commodore E. B. C. Dicken, and Mrs. Dicken photographed with friends at the recent Hongkong Dockyard Recreation Club Dance,Ming Yuen.

those terms.

them

by

an

General Situation

the

April 3, 1939.

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March 1 Ther post on M

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Japanese Invasion Of Hainan

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Lord Strabolgi had the follow-¡ chukuo, the Japanese are deliber- ing. Notice on the Paper: To an icly debauching the Chinese with what oplum and other harmful drugs, His Majesty's Government Information they can give the House This has been admitted at Geneva regarding the Sino-Japanese War in the anti-opium conference, and I with particular reference to events think that knowledge of it la com- property. There has been in South China; what steps His mon

Affairs, Informed the what different from our own in con- destruction everywhere Foreign Majesty's Government are taking to systemalle anleguard British truding rights and of the Chinese Universities and sents Japanese- Government that His Manection with this matter. The treaty Interests in Hongkong: what is the of learning. There lins been intro-jesty's Government regarded the in- posliton of the French Government cident as having been settled on In respect of the island is based, position with regard to the Japanese duced in the occupied territories a

firstly, on the Chinese assurance of and invasion

corrupt and dishonest regime, and a of Hainan Isiand;

The noble Lord opposite then 1897 to them regarding the non- whether any joint policy with the shutting out of all European and

I believe that asked in his Question what action alienation of the island and, in the other Interested Powers for bring-American commerce.

place, on

Franco- the taking to protect British second we tre ing this struggle to an end is being the Foreign Office is painfully aware

London. of the horrible excesses which have interests in that part of China, and Japanese Agreement of 1907. We pursued; and to move for Papers.

Further questions were asked in The noble Lord said: My Lords, taken place and are taking place, particularly our interests at Hong-actually have no similar agreement

and the this kong. I should therefore like to say will Japan,

only treaty parliament recently regarding the though the Motion which stands in particularly in Nanking. In

the situation Is the Nine-Power

Treaty. Japanese occupation of Hainan:- my name was put down in consut- connection, with regard to Nanking, a word about the position in regard bearing upon

I would like to take the opportunity to the Pearl River, because the Pearl Washington tailon with my noble friends, never- theless it is not intended in any of saying this. I have said rany River is of supreme importance In The noble Lord has contended that Mr. Noel-Baker asked the Prime action on the part of the Minister whether he can tell the spirit of hostility to His Majesty's hard things about the German Nal connection with the trade of Hong- this

the kong. The opening of this river to Japanese cannot have been taken House what guarantees he has re- the last regline, but on this occasion on Government. Indeed, occasion on which the noble Earl, Nazi German omells behaved very British irade is provided for in the with a view to threatening the posi- celved from the Japanese Govern

will not maintain a they 1842. It tion of the Chinese Government, but ment well indeed at Nanking. They be Angio-Chinese Treaty of Lord Plymouth, stated Government hoved with great Brmness and was first closed to navigation by the rather that it must have been taken permanent military occupation of the policy in your Lordships' House, in

to defend the

Chinese authorities on October 13, with the intention of (shall I say?) island of Hainan?

Mr. Dutler: I I would refer the hon. the debate before Christmas, in an courage in helping

and a protest was at once made to threatening or giving anxiety to the to the Motion of the noble Chinese refugees under their care

His Majesty's Consul- French Government and ourselves. Member to the reply given to my from slaughter and violation by Viscount, Lord Elibank, he adopted. brutal and apparently undisciplined General at Canton. Since their oc- It is difficult to pass judgment on hon. Friend the Member for Kidder- If I may say so, an unexpected but Japanese soldiers.

cupation the Japanese have main- that I can only say that the actual master (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) on attitude nevertheless welcome

of

tained the closure of the river, and reason given to us by the Japanese 15th February.

Mr. Nocl-Baker asked the Prime Armness

vital question of on this

His Majesty's Government have for authorities was that which I have

Minister whether he can make 1 British interests in China, So fur

As we are speaking of these ex- some time past been actively en-niready, quoted namely, to render

the present concerning no his official statement could go. his

gaged in endeavouring to secure its effective the blockade of the South statement words at any rate to me and my cesses, I must, as one we wereopening. I am sorry to say that China coast, and, as I have said we situation in the International Settle- noble friends appeared to contain a for ranny years myself, make a

these efforts have not so far been have been told that the period of ment

ment at Shanghai? not exceed the will

Mr. clear warning that our patience is protest against the attacks at sea by

Butler! Chinese effective. The possibility of taking necupation

A working under- sumurais ол defenceless

military standing for co-operation between not inexhaustible.

ashing junks. There in a freema- further steps towards this objective period required by the

is ut present under consideration, needs of the situation a very vague the Shanghai Municipal Counell and Hainan Island

sonry of the sea and these junk sea

been R 20084, and in any event I can assure the phrase 1 admit, but still that is the the.

the Japanese authorities has Since then certain events of great men and fishermen are a very line

vage House that His Majesty's Govern- nosition as it has been explained to reached which, my Noble Friend un- Indeed. They are importance have inken place in race

R 20089. derstands, docs ment propose to continue, as at pre- us by the Japanese Government. others

not impair the au- come to the help China, As your Lordships are ready

sent, to do all that is possible to

thority of the Council. aware, the Island of Hainan has in the ordinary accidents of the sea.

secure British trade and shipping in

Mr. Nocl-Baiter: May, we assume Invaded been

by

1hey take their wives ond children the

I think I have now dealt with the that the Government will continue to anton, the on very long voyages. The act the occupied areas of China from Following

discrimination in favour of Japanese specifle points which the noble Lord support the municipal council fall of Canton, the on these helpless fishermen, as a great port and

port and colony of Hongkong

raised during the course

his of

their local negotiations with the Threats

cals polley of terrorism, was a most abo- or any other interests. blocknded.

I should like to take Japanese authorities? • practically

So far as the Customs in that area speech, but have been levelled at the authorities minable act for which words sul-

ent in lciently condemnalorare dificultare concerned, the latest available this opportunity of anying a word

Mr. Butler: Yes Sir. Seulement in

or two about the general situation. Shanghal. 1 see in to-day's new to find, There is no milltary obtuformation indicates that the Cus- pupers that there is a modification jective in destroying these junks and tons at Canton, while they have not When we lust debated the Chinese

been brought understien, before Christmas, I actually

I toukossible up to now. In addition to lishermen, ond as these attacks were I amm of the Japanese attitude, and

control, have been sub-the opportunity of explaining, in some that. I can assure the, noble Lord I think, the attitude of His that the general position in regard very glad to see that, but must hear our own territorial waters, I Japanese

jected to a certain measure of con- remind your Lordships that the so- suggest that some protest should be

made.

I am not accusing the Gov-trol by the Japanese, as in the ease Majesty's Government towards the to this aspect of the question is con- problem, and, therefore, I can do stantly under consideration and is called Government of Nanking-

ernment

of being blind to these of the Shanghai Customs, and which, of course, is completely un-

nailonals are little more than repeat what I said never lost sight of terrible events. I believe the number of Japanese der Japanese central-has used ex-

that Foreign Office are well aware of being added to the stall.. The Cus-

occasion. In general,

End to War traordinary language towards

toms at Hollow, in the island of Far-Eastern policy His Majesty's nationals and the French nationals them and deplore them as much as

I do.

Hainan, have been treated in the Government is based on the Nine- In the International Settlement. I

same why. I should like to add this: Power Treaty, the main provisions Further than that, I am afraid I will trouble your Lordships, if I may, I have already mentioned the or that it was largely due to the cour-of which I gutlined when we lust am unable to go this afternoon, but by reading out the exact words. It tion of the German Nazi officials in age and tenacity of Mr. Hooper, the had a debate on this question. Hisobie Lord has asked whether there

would like

Anally to say this. The in Renter's report of February 26 Nanking. My Information is

Deputy Commissioner at that tine Majesty's Government were, there. German merchants are just DIS last:

In charge of the Customs at Canton, fere, at some pains to make clear to no possibility of the Flowers joint- who is a British subject, that the the Japanese Government in thely bringing pressure to bear upon the "The Nanking Government says alarmed and disturbed by what is happening in, China as our own 'It will not hesitate to brand British

bringing the war In Chino to a and French vessels and the inter-merchants. It is the German officials Customs administration at that port Note which they addressed to them Japanese Government with a view to

was held intact throughout the at- on January 14 that who have to adopt an

attitude of

infringe

It would be difficult to national Settlement as on enemy

erroneous or derogations from the unless Britain and France reconsider support and comfort for the Japanese the Japanese.

that 1 thought I should like to say something provisions of this Treaty which are and change their attitude of assist-uthorities. I should like to take

about Hainan, to which the noblet about by force or by the t

the were prospects of being able to ing the Chiang Kai-shek regime, this opportunity of repeating what I

chleve that objective, but I can which is the public enemy of the have said before, that here is a tre-

the German Lord has referred. Japanese troops unilateral modiacation af

ce that ray that His Majesty's Government They cannot agce ty terms. Chinese nation. That is very strong mendous chance for

are in close and constant consulti- language to be used by a Govern- Government to show their good faith, landed in the island on the 10th of "ilat

the 14th His the

or that its is obsolete the Treaty humanity and will for peace, by last month,

with the other Powers .con- ment which is supposed to speak for

Majesty's Ambassador of Tokyo, who provisions no longer meet the tua- tion any section of the Chinese people. joining with durselves and will had been instructed to make repre- tion, except in so far as that situa-i cerned on matters which affect their

Powers to bring but which, as we know, locs not other interested

pressure to bear-iplomatie and, if sentations to the Japanese Govern-tion-has-been-nitered by Japan in common interests. With a view to socuring a settlement which will be represent anybody but themselves.

necessary, economic

pressure-to fore, in case may wards might reach contravention of its terms. In addition, Japanese troops have

fair and just to both sides and take this mad adventure of the anyone who could pass on the pro-

But this is not

that His to say

all

crest of proper account of the interest erected barricades and electrically-top

militarists in China. I pasal, that if Germany really wisties

Govern- controlled cables round the British Japanese Concession at Tientsin. There is no Ventured to make the suggestion be- to make some return for the great Majesty's Government contend that Japanese or any military objective in invading Hal- events in South China and in other advantages that the present Prime this Treaty or any other Treaty is third parties, His Majesty's Coverse nan Island, so far as the Japanese parts of China. The House will re- Minister has conferred upon her by eternal. If the

his polley of appeasement, there is other signatory has any constructive and Japanese Governments war on the Chinese Central Govern- member that apart from the occu

of Antoy by the Japanese their chance in China, where their suggestions to make regarding points are ready at all times to use their which it is thought that the good offices, and they will not hest- ment is concerned. It is deilter-pation

Ma- tate to take all necessary steps as ately provocative of the French and Navy on May 13 last, the Sino- interests ure identical with ours. We on

Japanese hostilities were not ex recently heard the German Chan-Treaty might be improved, His Ma-

jesty's Government for their part on as the moment appears

os I say once also of ourselves. Hainan Island

would be

be ready to consider of great strategic importance to us, tended to South, China till October cellor proclaim that Germany must

hem appropriate. But, because it flanks the line of com- last, when the Japanese landed at export or die. There is an immense

signatories regarding the uf present the situation does not ap- munications between Singapore and Blas Bay and began their advance market in China, where the Germans and enter into negotiations with all again, I am afraid I must admit that

no chance whatever of the

suggested. Similarly, pear to have changed in this respect understand that the on Canton. The City was occupied will have

policy is modifications Hongkong. I

Lordships' your al-alnce I addressed Government area House in December last, and I can French ten days later after slight resistance trading if this Japanese

His Majesty's Indo-French authorities in

to resume negotiations not look upon the prospects as good. Indo-China had stopped the trade in on the part of the Chinese. Since continued to success.

Thie In Red then the Japanese forces have not

Parliamentary Under-Seere- ways ready

with the Chinese Government on the have endeavoured to the best of arms to China, and even

of State for Foreign Cross materials, medical stores, and advanced into the interior but have tary

(The Eari of Plymouth): subject of extra-territoriality so on, in return for a promise from contented themselves almost entirely Affairs

tions which the noble Lord raised hus been restored. As I say, a Note the Japanese that Hainan was re- with consolidating their position in My Lords, I am grateful to the noble other similar questions when peace my ability to deal with the ques In the course. of his speech, and I cognised as in the French sphere of Canton, where they set up a local Lord for once again having informed embodying those points influence, and would not be attacked. adininistration entitled the Kwang-me of the special points to which he dressed to the Japanese Government hope that, although I may not have

to-day. The re

entirely satisfied him, at any rate January 14, but SD for We see what has happened and I tung Self-Preservation Committee en intended to allude

is such a

to him and satisfaction

others in that it vast one ample of the uselessness of a policy mopping up operation in the Delta

impossible to deal with every aspect any reply.

your Lordships' House. out there. There- the situation

Lord Strabolgi: My Lords, I have Japanese are

I have re- Two of these operations have.

The noble Lord has suggested cer-only to thank the noble Earl for his cently been in the East myself. I taken place in close proximity to the fore, I will confine my remarks to that have been specifically was very glad to hear when i was boundary of the Hongkong leased the points the noble Lord. The diftain ways in which he thinks that very full reply to the question I put in Burma that the motor road from territory. On the first occasion, that British Dominion to North-Westwards the end of November last, ficulty in approaching this question should deal with the situation. on the Paper. I quite understand is to give practical effect to any de- When I have been explaining. theht it is not possible for him at this China is now completed, and is be-

of Japanese small WO ing heavily used for the transport of

the frontier into sices or feelings that one may have, position of His Majesty's Gover-stage to give greater satisfaction. and although with much that the ment with regard to this matter, 1 If I may say so, I think he has guld thc all he could under the circumstances. all sort of goods, including muni British territory, but retired when tions. I suggest that that is the their error was pointed out to them. noble Lord cald. I agree, at the same have always pointed out that,

that the possibility of only language which the Japanese On February 21 last a more serious time I doubt whether he can have view of fils Majesty's Government, I understand that the matter militarists understand.

incident occurred. Six Japanese given very much thought to the no measures such as come of those der review,

actual aeroplanes engaged in these mop-

really be of any use in solving this of, and that His Majesty's Govern- suggestions.

dimculty or helping the situation ment are with us in deploring these in China and in altitude over the Hongkong border

I refer to the general situa-' Before sure that your Lordships will be near Shamchun,

of wishing to bring them to an end. mensures. Clearly, for measures and dropped six tion, I should like to give him some unless they are going to be effective appalling events that the United States Government bombs in British leased territory, information which he has asked for the kind which he described, such Perhaps I may be permitted to res

In particular to recent

sanctions of Various

mark on what the noble Earl Eald have granted a substantial loan to killing one Sikh policeman and six relating China, and that we have also granted Chinese and causing considerable ment, was informed by the Japanese as economie a small credit. I trust that further damage to a train. Machine gun fire Minister for Foreign Affairs that the kinds, it is absolutely essential that with regard to the Chinese Customs, financial assistance will be forth-was also opened on the British rail- object of the accupation was to ren netion should be taken by all in- that your Lordships are aware that The blockade of the terested parties at the same time. very substantial International loans coming. The reason why I say that way stations, and two Chinese were der effective

of China. Mr. Arital Although I cannot say more than have been secured on the Chinese to-day broadly, the Chinese

are killed and a number of people, which south coast

on that particular subject, I Customs, and that the revenue de- Aghting our battles for us. Suppos-we have not been able exactly to as further said that its duration would that Ing the Japanese had succeeded. as certain, were wounded. On that not exceed the period required by want to draw the attention of your pends on the Customs being proper- *ground Zor they boasted they very same day Sir Robert Croigle, military needs, and that its charac- Lordships' House to the various ways ly and honestly administered. We two years ago would, in breaking Chinese resist-our Ambassader at Tokyo, made a ter would, similarly, be dictated in which His Majesty's Government surely have very strong once in ninety days, how long would preliminary protest to the Japanese purely by military considerations as have assisted the Chinese Govern- protesting against any infringement territorial designa ment in the extremely dimcult pos- there, especially--this is the extra- It have been before there would have Government, who replied on Ecbapan had no

are. As ordinary part of it since there has Similar assurances were re-tlon in which they now been a direct threat to Hongkong, ruary 23 expressing profound regret there.

China. and then to Malaya and the Dutch at the incident and promising to pay ceived by the French and United your Lordships know, we have from been no declaration of war by the

I understand the beginning of the war kept Can-Japanese Government on

len- The whole of this ghastly campaign East Indies? Suppose that Japan full compensation for the domago States Ambassadors.

means of communien- don Apuranens have also been that the United States Government ton open us

course for China, or had succeeded in subjugating all

thats referred to as an Incident. They China, and recovering her economic received that disciplinary measures have despatched a destroyer to safe- tion

Interests United States

on channel could no longer be made use cannot have it both ways. They and military strength, and suppose would be taken against, those who

Hainan and that the French Govern of when Canton fell, but in addition have no legal right whatever to in- we were involved in more difficul-

shown to be guilty after a vero ties in Europe, does anyone suppose thorough investigation of the facts, ment are intending to take similar to that we have, as the noble Lord terfere with the Chinese Customs on that British interests in the Pacific and that adequate measures would action. Although I am fully aware pointed out, built, a rond through which Important loans are secured. would have been left untouched?

The next observation that I wish be taken to ensure that there went of the strategi, or a matter of fact Burma, to the Chinese border to join But as I say, I am obliged to the Obtainable at Kolly & Walsh, Hongkong Travel Bureau or from the

no repetition of such an incident.tions involved, as a up with the Chinese Yunnan-Fu noble Earl and quite oppreciate to make is this. This war against These assurances have now beenit cannot be said that there are any Road. More recently, we have taken that he could not any more at the Publishers, South China Morning Post, Ltd., Morning Post Building.. Important British Interests on that owers, as your Lordships know, un- present time. In these circumstances, China is not an old-fashioned war embodied in n termal Note handed

der the Export Guarantees Art, I beg leave to withdraw my Motion,

for Motion

Papers, by of conquest. It is being waged with on February 27 to our Ambassador, Island.

The position of the French will enable us to give credits: the utmost cruelty and bestiality. In who, on the Instructions of my noble the occupied territories, as in Man friend the Secretary of Siate for Government is undoubtedly sumo-to China more easily than has been withdrawn.

and on

the other

On

and

was ad-

tre

at-

Also

Jimmy's

A la

that they

China Bldg.. Hongkong.

to be

suggest that this is a practical ex-December 20, and in conducting whole Chinese questa really be Japanese Government has not sent my remark may have given a limited of so-called and Where the of the Pearl River,

Loan to China

parties

koldlers crossed

to-

of

Measures Taken

T

un-

I am also glad to note, as I am Ping-up operations flew at a lot. A HERCLicability of some of his which the noble Lord described will joint action has not been lost sight

guerd

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