FO371-23523 — Page 136

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15.12.39.

91

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being written in one publication and another about our negotiations

with Japan at the present time. I referred to two articles in the

current issue of "Pacific Affairs", one an article of a rather

ر

poisonous nature which makes outright the suggestion that Great

Britain fears China's independence; the other, a much more realistic

article, by Bisson, stating that it is realised in the States that in

the existing situation in Europe Great Britain is compelled to be

careful about the Far Eastern backdoor. The very fact, however, that

this view is expressed by Bisson, shows that our negotiations with

the Japanese are occasioning much speculation in the United States.

This is, I agreed with you yesterday, inevitable. It is

equally plain that to improve the situation at Tientsin, as far as that can be done without any sacrifice of principles,is wise.

Nevertheless, as the whole psychology of the situation in the Far

East is extremely sensitive at the present time I come back to the

suggestion that some step be taken to counteract the use which

(including Japanese soldims in China) unfriendly critics/will make of our withdrawal of the gunboats.

Yours sincerely,

>

R.G. Howe, Esq., C.M.G., Foreign Office, S.W1.

Em. Gall.

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