§ 2. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability of proposing, if necessary, the calling of a special meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations to deal with the Far Eastern dispute?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. Friend will realise that his suggestion is superfluous when I remind him that the representative of China has already asked that the Assembly should be summoned.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Assembly is likely to meet?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir, I cannot say that, because it has not yet been decided.
§ 11. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider proposing that the Council of the League of Nations should put into force in the case of Japan the resolution concerning the application of Article 16 of the Covenant adopted by the Assembly of the League on 4th October, 1921, for the withdrawal of ambassadors and ministers and the establishment of an effective blockade of the seaboard of the covenant-breaking State; and whether these matters have already been under consideration by the Council of the League?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. The question of responsibility for the unhappy situation at Shanghai was taken into consideration by the Council of the League of Nations under the provisions of Article 15 of the Covenant. Before the Council had received the statements of the parties, the Government of China claimed to withdraw the question from the Council and to submit it for decision to the Assembly. In these circumstances, His Majesty's Government would regard it as most improper to form a judgment upon a matter which is under the judicial consideration of a tribunal in which they form a part, and they would deprecate any suggestion that they have reached any premature conclusion.
§ 14. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any recent information from Mukden or elsewhere as to the proposal to form a new independent State in Manchuria?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have seen a report on this matter in this morning's Press, but I have, as yet, no official confirmation.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the Japanese Government that this country will not recognise the new State, as it would be contrary to the Nine-Power Treaty?
§ Sir J. SIMONI must, of course, first make sure as to the question of fact.
§ Mr. COCKSWould it not be better that they should protest now, rather than wait until they are faced with a fait accompli?
§ 15. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. H. G. Parkes, an English schoolmaster, was attacked on 14th February by 50 Japanese reservists in Hongkew; whether he will make inquiries as to the injuries sustained by Mr. Parkes; and whether he will demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese Government for this outrage on a British subject?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am awaiting a report on the matter, and cannot say anything further until it has been received and considered.
§ 16. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the invasion of China by a Japanese army, His Majesty's Government will approach the Governments of the United States, France, Italy, and Germany with a view to taking concerted action, such action to take the form of issuing a strong protest to the Japanese Government followed, if necessary, by the withdrawal of Ambassadors and the severance of trade relations?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. The present situation in the Far East is before the League, of which His Majesty's Government is a member, and His Majesty's Government will continue to act in close collaboration with the Powers there represented and with the Government of the United States of America.
§ Mr. COCKSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this situation is growing graver every day, and is menacing our position and prestige in the East?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am fully conscious, as I am sure the hon. Member is, of the gravity of this matter, and we are all acting with every sense of responsibility.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the League of Nations is doing anything effective?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am quite sure it is doing its best.
§ Mr. MAXTONIf the right hon. Gentleman will allow me, that was not what I asked. I asked him if he was satisfied that the League of Nations was doing anything effective in this matter, because the general opinion is to the contrary.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the grave danger to Australia and other parts of the British Empire unless steps are taken to stop this Japanese aggression?
§ Sir J. SIMONI hope that my hon. Friend will do me the justice to believe that I have not altogether forgotten Australia.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes the Foreign Secretary think that the League of Nations can do anything?
§ 18. Mr. TINKERasked the secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, despite the promises of the Japanese authorities to the British and other consuls, a, Japanese army has landed in the international settlement at Shanghai; and whether he proposes to take any steps to protest against this action?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs stated in answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bow and Bromley. (Mr. Lansbury) on the 9th February, His Majesty's Government have on three occasions made it clear to the Japanese Government that they could not approve of the use of the Settlement as a base for operations outside it. His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has now protested to the local Japanese authorities against the use of the Settlement as a channel for military operations unconnected with the defence of the Settlement. The Japanese Government have, however, stated that the purpose of the reinforcements is the defence of the Settlement and of Japanese nationals.
§ Mr. TINKERAre we powerless to do any more than we are doing?
§ 21. Mr. LOGANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the last report of the consular commission of inquiry in Shanghai; whether he has taken note of the summary execution of residents in the international settlement, and of other excesses committed within the settlement by Japanese marines, reservists, etc.; and whether His Majesty's Government will inform the Japanese Government, either independently or together with the other Powers, 1615 concerned; that it will be held responsible for all damage done by Japanese military and marines to residents in the international settlement?
§ Sir J. SIMONI understand that the report was telegraphed to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations on the 12th February. It forms part of the material now being considered collectively by the League, and I cannot anticipate the attitude it may be desirable to adopt in regard to it.
§ 73. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any licences have been granted to any company or group of armament manufacturers in this country during recent months to export armaments of any kind to Japan?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan we have the names of the firms who are exporting armaments to Japan and China?
§ Major COLVILLENo. It has not been customary to give that information.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHave the Government considered ceasing the grant of licences for the export of arms during the disturbances in China?
§ Major COLVILLEI cannot at this stage go beyond the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) on the 4th instant.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not the case that during the last Government names were given?
§ Major COLVILLEI think the hon. Member will find that he is mistaken. The practice that I have stated has been adhered to by my predecessors.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes the hon. and gallant Member not think that it is most undesirable to carry on this export trade and to encourage war like this?
§ Major COLVILLEThe hon. Baronet is asking for my opinion.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the Chinese also have equal facilities for purchasing their arms here?
§ Major COLVILLELicences have not been withheld in either case up to the present time.
§ 69. Dr. SALTER (for Mr. HICKS)asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the public statement by Brigadier-General Fleming at Shanghai to the effect that if the Chinese invaded the settlement he would shoot them down; and whether, without interfering in any way with policy, he will recommend those on the spot to avoid phrases which may excite hostility?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)I am aware that a Press report to this effect has been circulated, but Brigadier Fleming has reported that it is untrue. I do not consider that any action of the kind suggested in the last part of the question is necessary.
§ Lord SCONEWould it not be as well to extend that recommendation to the pseudo-pacifists on the Socialist Front Bench who are trying to plunge us into war with Japan?
§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement, as to a communication from the Council of the League of Nations to Japan?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have information from Geneva that the Council of the League of Nations, other than the Chinese and Japanese representatives, addressed a Note in the nature of an appeal last night to Japan; but its contents are not yet made public. I understand, however, that the Council are publishing it this evening. That being so, after its issue by the League, I shall be glad to meet the convenience of the right hon. Gentleman and the House by having it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-night.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has any information as to what is happening in Shanghai to-day? I am sorry that I have not been able to give him notice of this question, and I only heard of something happening just before I came into the House.
§ Sir J. SIMONI have no information which I can give in answer to that question. Of course, we are all aware of what is reported in the Press, and I will, make it my business to see if I have any specific information which I ought to give in answer to the question, and, if so, I may communicate with the right hon. Gentleman later in the day.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe only point that I would urge on the Government for consideration in this position is that there is very great danger of nationals other than Japanese coming into the range of the hostilities, owing to the fact that the Japanese are attacking from the Settlement, and in self-defence the Chinese apparently have to fire into the Settlement. I would like to be quite sure that His Majesty's Government are making the strongest possible effort to get these proceedings stopped at the earliest possible moment.
§ Sir J. SIMONMy right hon. Friend will have, in mind, I am sure, that I answered a question which was asked this afternoon, and pointed out that we had made strong representations on the use of the International Settlement as a base of operations. I think that if he will look at the answer I gave, he will see that we have that consideration in mind.
§ Mr. MAXTONIn the newspapers to-day there are reports of British casualties in Shanghai. Apart from taking the Leader of the Opposition into his confidence, would the right hon. Gentleman not do what has been done on previous occasions by making a statement to the House later in the day?
§ Sir J. SIMONIf I get any further information, I shall certainly do so. I was not picking and choosing. I shall be glad to give the whole House the information if I receive it.
Following are the terms of the Note:
As the President of the Council on behalf of his colleagues pointed out on the 29th of January in an appeal addressed to both parties, good relations between States can only be secured by co-operation and mutual respect and no permanent solution can be achieved by force, whether military or merely economic. The longer the present situation continues, the wider the breach between the two peoples will become and the more difficult the solution will be, with all the disasters that that would mean not only to the two nations directly involved but to the world in general.1618The 12 members of the Council, other than the Chinese and Japanese representatives, feel constrained to-day to make a pressing appeal to the Government of Japan to recognise the very special responsibility for forbearance and restraint which devolved upon it in the present conflict, in virtue of the position of Japan as a member of the League of Nations and a permanent member of its Council.The situation which has developed in the Far East during the past months will be fully studied by the Commission appointed with the consent of both parties. But since the Commission was set up there have occurred, and are still occurring, events at and near Shanghai which have intensified public anxiety throughout the world, which endanger lives and interests of nationals of numerous countries, and to the unexampled difficulties with which the whole world is faced in the present crisis and threaten to throw new and serious obstacles in the path of the Disarmament Conference.The 12 members of the Council are far from disregarding the grievances advanced by Japan, and throughout all these months have given her the full confidence which they owed to an associate of long standing who had ever been punctilious in fulfilment of all her obligations and duties as a member of the Community of Nations.They cannot but regret, however, that she has not found it possible to make full use of the methods of peaceful settlement provided in the Covenant; and recall once again the solemn undertaking of the Pact of Paris that a solution of international disputes shall never be sought by other than peaceful means. They cannot but recognise that, from the beginning of the conflict which is taking place on her territory, China has put her case in the hands of the League and agreed to accept its proposals for a peaceful settlement.The 12 members of the Council recall the terms of Article 10 of the Covenant by which all members of the League have undertaken to respect and preserve the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all members of the League. It is their friendly right to direct attention to this provision, particularly as it appears to them to follow that no invasion of territorial integrity, and no change in the political independence of any member of the League, brought about in disregard of this Article, ought to be recognised as valid and effectual by members of the League of Nations.Japan has an incalculable responsibility before the public opinion of the world to be just and restrained in her relations with China. She has already acknowledged this responsibility in most solemn terms by becoming one of the signatories to the Nine Powers Treaty of 1922, whereby the contracting Powers expressly agreed to respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China.The 12 members of the Council appeal to Japan's high sense of honour to recognise 1619 the obligations of her special position, and of the confidence which the nations have placed in her as a partner in the organisation and maintenanec of peace.