§ 9. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the present situation in the Far East; and whether the Japanese Government have replied to the representations of His Majesty's Government with regard to the detention of Colonel Spear?
§ 11. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether the military attaché to His Majesty's Embassy in Tokyo will have legal representation at his forthcoming court-martial at the hands 6 of the Japanese authorities; and whether it is proposed to inform the Japanese Government that in view of the decision to court-martial a British officer enjoying diplomatic immunity and of the recurrence of stripping of British subjects at Tientsin the proposed negotiations at Tokyo must be suspended?
§ 14. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether he has any further information to give the House respecting alleged anti-British demonstrations in China; and whether these outbreaks are confined to areas under Japanese influence?
§ 22. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the present situation in the Treaty Ports in China, and concerning the recent action of Japanese armed forces in those ports?
§ The Prime MinisterAs stated in the official communiqué issued in Tokyo, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo met on 15th July at the former's official residence, and held a friendly discussion on the general questions forming the background of the situation which has arisen in Tientsin. The interview was adjourned to give time for further consideration of the issues raised.
The date for the official opening of the negotiations at Tokyo on the questions arising out of the situation at Tientsin has not yet been fixed. There have been many statements in the Press, both in Japan and this country, that the Japanese Government will require a fundamental reversal of the Far Eastern policy of His Majesty's Government as a condition of the opening of the negotiations. I should like to make it clear that this country would not, and could not, so act in regard to its foreign policy at the demand of another Power, nor has His Majesty's Government received any such demand from the Japanese Government. In the opinion of His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo, the Japanese official attitude would be more correctly described as a desire that Great Britain should endeavour to regard the Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japan's difficulties and of the Japanese side of the case. His Majesty's Government share the Ambassador's view that to attribute to the Japanese Government 7 intentions which may be found to have no basis in fact, would only be calculated to prejudice the success of the forthcoming negotiations.
The local situation at Tientsin has, on the whole, improved. Food supplies are entering in sufficient quantities and adequate supplies of milk are now available. Anti-British demonstrations have taken place in various towns in North China, and some damage has been done to missionary property in the province of Shansi. The Japanese authorities in China have given official notification to the effect that vessels of third Powers will be admitted to the harbour at Swatow under certain conditions, and, so far as military operations permit, at the rate of approximately one per week. Negotiations are at present in progress between the British and Japanese authorities. Certain British subjects have been evacuated from Foochow.
His Majesty's Ambassador has been informed by the Japanese Government that they believe that Colonel Spear had been put on trial, but they were making further inquiries. In view of the obviously unsatisfactory nature of such procedure, Sir R. Craigie has made the strongest representations and has requested the Japanese Government to agree to the despatch of a Japanese-speaking British military officer to Kalgan.
§ Mr. A. HendersonDoes the reply of the Prime Minister mean that the forthcoming negotiations at Tokyo will be confined to 02-July17-1939_swapnathe local issues at Tientsin, and that His Majesty's Government will not agree to the discussion of any modification of the principles of the Nine-Power Treaty behind the backs of the Government of the United States and other Governments who are signatories to the Treaty?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, I think it does mean that, but, as I pointed out, we have not received any such demand from the Japanese Government.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it the policy of the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Prime Minister inform the Japanese Government 8 that their invasion of China is an act of aggression condemned by the League of Nations with our consent, and a crime against humanity; and that if it is ended all outstanding questions can quite well be settled with Japan?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; I do not think that that is a very useful suggestion.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question in which I asked whether these outbreaks are confined to areas under Japanese influence? In other words, are there outbreaks in other parts of China besides those which are in the neighbourhood of, and under Japanese, control?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that for the most part they are in towns under Japanese control.
§ Mr. SorensenAre there some outside that area?
§ The Prime MinisterNot that I am aware of.
§ Mr. DaltonHas the Prime Minister any official information concerning reports of incidents in Tokyo against the British Embassy?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir; I understand that a large number of people were marching about and demonstrating in front of the British Embassy. A force of Japanese police intervened, and I think that all is quiet there now.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherHave any outrages on British subjects at Tientsin occurred since the Prime Minister announced that it must be a condition of the negotiations with Japan that such outrages should cease?
§ The Prime MinisterI have seen a report that some further restrictions have been placed upon the passage of British subjects in and out of the Concession, but I do not think that there has been anything comparable to those outrages of which we complained before.
§ Mr. EdenMay I ask my right hon. Friend one question about the conversations, so that it may be quite clear? Do I understand that the Japanese Government have not asked for these conversations to be extended beyond the local issue at Tientsin?
§ The Prime MinisterI did not quite say that. The conversations between the Ambassador and the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs did range over the general background against which the Japanese Government considered that the Tientsin question should be considered, but they have not suggested that the discussion or settlement of those general questions should be a condition of the negotiations.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairAre we to understand that a Japanese-speaking officer has been sent to get into touch with Colonel Spear, and that His Majesty's Government have abandoned their demands for the immediate release of this officer, who is entitled to diplomatic immunity?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, certainly not. I said that the Ambassador made the strongest representations to the Japanese Government and demanded that he should be released.
§ 6. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister particulars of the protest lodged by the British authorities against the Japanese authorities for encircling three British-owned factories on the north bank of Soochow Creek, China, with wire barricades; and whether the workers at these factories are now permitted to cross the bridges?
§ Mr. ButlerAccording to my noble Friend's information, two British factories are affected, the Zoong Sing Mill and the China Car and Foundry Company's premises, together with a Chinese mill under Japanese management. Access to these has for some time been by boat across the Sochow Creek to the mill jetty. This has now been wired off by the Japanese authorities in such a way that it can no longer be used, and similar measures have been adopted at the premises of the China Car and Foundry Company. His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has made oral and written representations to his Japanese colleague and has pressed for permission to rebuild a wooden bridge which formerly existed and which it is understood would not interfere with traffic on the Creek.
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ 7. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister what was the nature of the representations recently made by the Foreign Office to a bank whose headquarters are in London and whose branch at Shanghai was co-operating with the Japanese authorities in weakening the Chinese Exchange Fund, half of which has been guaranteed by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ButlerNo such representations have been made by the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. StraussDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that no bank has been approached by the Foreign Office because it has been selling, on behalf of the Chinese authorities, Chinese funds, and thereby weakening the Chinese Exchange Fund? Has not a bank been approached by the Bank of England to stop such action?
§ Mr. ButlerI can speak only for the Foreign Office. No such representation has been made by them.
§ Mr. BellengerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a report that such an incident had occurred has appeared in the Press, and will he instruct the Governor of the Bank of England—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister cannot reply to reports in the Press.
§ Mr. BellengerAm I not entitled to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he realises the danger that might arise from these statements?
§ Mr. SpeakerThey may not be true.
§ 23. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have yet received any reply from the Japanese Government to their protests concerning the murder of Mr. R. M. Tinkler by Japanese troops at Shanghai?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHave His Majesty's Government asked for the punishment of those who murdered Mr. Tinkler, and the payment of compensation to the relatives?
§ Mr. ButlerIn view of the situation that has arisen and the fact that we have received no reply, the question of further action is under consideration.