HC Deb 21 January 1942 vol 377 cc326-7
3. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make it clear that one of the aims of the Allies in this war, in so far as China is concerned, is the restoration to her of all territories seized by force by Japan, including Manchuria; and whether a treaty of alliance is contemplated?

6. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make clear to the Japanese people that when the war is over not only will they have to give up all the foreign territory they have occupied but also Manchuria, Korea and all their island possessions, together with their conquests in China, and that reprisals will be made for all the outrages they commit?

Mr. Eden

I would refer my hon. Friends to the "Declaration by the United Nations" signed at Washington on 1st January, the text of which has been published in the Press. The Declaration endorses the purposes and principles of the Atlantic Charter, the third article of which relates to the restoration of sovereign rights and self-government to those who have been forcibly deprived of them. In view of the establishment of the "United Nations," I cannot make any further statement on behalf of His Majesty's Government alone on the aims of the Allies, nor forecast the demands to be made eventually on the enemy.

Mr. Mander

May I take it that the Chinese Government are satisfied that this covers the restoration of territory seized forcibly by Japan in the Far East?

Mr. Eden

I cannot speak for any other Government than our own, but the Chinese Government are themselves a party to this Declaration.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not a fact that neither the British Government nor any other of the Allied Governments have ever recognised the conquest of Manchuria, and that therefore their action is in no way compromised by past events?

Mr. Eden

That is so.