§ 19. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been directed to the declaration recently made by Mr. Tetsuzo Komai, the Japanese member of the Manchukuo Privy Council, that the new Manchukuo tariff would be based on reciprocity with Japan and that Manchukuo's trade door would not remain open to States which withheld recognition of her status; and what steps he is taking for the protection of British trade interests?
§ 21. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the announcement by the Japanese member of the Manchukuo Privy Council that Manchukuo's trade door would not remain open to States which withheld recognition of her status; and whether, in view of the fact that this constitutes a threat to the Nine-Power Treaty, he proposes to ask the Japanese Government for an explanation of the statement?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have seen a Press report to the effect indicated. The statement reported is obviously in complete contradiction with the repeated declarations of the Japanese Government and of the present administrative authorities in Manchuria as to the preservation of the open door as provided for by treaty, and if it should appear that it represented their intentions His Majesty's Government would naturally take any step open to them to defend the principle in question. At present, however, I have no information to show that this is the case, and I find it difficult to credit it in view of the assurances to which I have referred.