§ 17. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the danger of a breakdown of the Sino-Japanese negotiations owing to the refusal of China to discuss guarantees for the maintenance of order in Shanghai, on which Japan insists, he will invite interested Powers to join with His Majesty's Government in negotiations with China to arrange for the future stability of Shanghai on the lines of Mr. Justice Feetham's recent report and recommendations?
§ Mr. EDENAccording to my information the point on which difficulty is being experienced in concluding the negotiations is not that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. I am afraid that the issue of any invitation such as he contemplates would only add to the difficulties of these negotiations, which it is the general desire to see brought to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not the fact that the Japanese occupation will continue as long as there is no stability for the future of Shanghai and could not this country build a bridge between China and Japan and bring the two parties together by arranging something with the other 14 Treaty Powers?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension as to the point which is now delaying negotiations. We want to get these negotiations settled before we consider embarking on anything else.
§ Mr. COCKSIs not the disorder aggravated by the presence of the Japanese army in Shanghai? Is it not possible to get the Japanese army removed?
§ Captain GUNSTONIs the Under-Secretary in a position to say whether there have been any further outbreaks in China?
§ 18. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present attitude of the Japanese Government to participation in discussions at Geneva on the Shanghai peace terms; and 1230 what further steps are contemplated by His Majesty's Government towards the adjustment of the difficulties which have arisen at the conference at Shanghai?
§ 21. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the suspension of the negotiations for the withdrawal of the Japanese army from Shanghai?
§ Mr. EDENI cannot say what is the attitude of the Japanese Government in this respect. The Chinese Government have referred a point arising out of the negotiations to Geneva where it is under discussion. Pending the outcome of these discussions, in which my right hon. Friend is taking part, I am unable to make any further statement.
§ Mr. HANNONHas the Under-Secretary received any intimation of any further trouble and fighting or squabbling in this disturbed area?
§ Mr. EDENNo, Sir; only reports of fighting among Chinese troops themselves, which turned out on investigation to be a mock battle staged by the 5th Chinese Army for the benefit of the Fox Movietone Company of America.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTHas the Under-Secretary seen the Press reports to-day of one of the parties concerned declining to assist the Assembly's inquiry; and can he assure the House that the Government will insist on the inquiry proceeding?
§ 22. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has taken note of the communication of the Chinese delegation to the League of Nations on 22nd March to the effect that the Japanese are arranging a Customs union between Manchuria and Japan; and whether he has received any reports on the subject from our consular agents in Manchuria?
§ Mr. EDENAs already stated in this House, my right hon. Friend has seen the communication in question. The Japanese delegate at Geneva has informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations in reply that the report of a proposed Customs union 1231 between Japan and Manchuria is inaccurate. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ 23. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to inform the House of the terms of the communication received from the Japanese Government with regard to the questions of the application of Article 15 of the Covenant of the League of Nations to the Manchurian question and Japan's withdrawal from the League?
§ Mr. COCKSIs it not undesirable that information should be made known in Tokio which is withheld from the House of Commons; and will the hon. Member inform the Japanese Government of this so that permission may be given for the information to be given here?
§ Mr. EDENThis is a confidential communication and a confidential communication is treated as confidential.