§ Mr. Palingasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the situation in China?
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§ The Prime MinisterOn 20th May a Japanese force landed at Laoyao, the port of Haichow, at the eastern terminus of the Lunghai railway. About the same date Hsuchow, at the junction of the Lunghai and Tientsin-Pukow railways, fell into the hands of the Japanese, together with a large amount of rolling stock. The Japanese subsequently occupied Kaifeng, the capital of Honan Province, early in June, and fighting is now proceeding in the neighbourhood of Chengchow, at the junction of the Lunghai and Peking-Hankow railways. There has also been some Japanese advance in the province of Anhwei.
In South China, Japanese aeroplanes have carried out a number of raids against Canton, which have unfortunately been attended with considerable loss of civilian life. Representations have been made to the Japanese authorities by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo.
Reports which have been received from Shanghai indicate that a better atmosphere exists between the Japanese and British authorities there, and two or three outstanding cases have been satisfactorily settled.
§ Captain P. Macdonaldasked the Prime Minister whether the British diplomatic representatives in China have reported on the new tariff imposed by the Japanese along the China seaboards which they control, and especially on its effect on British trade; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. ButlerDetails of this tariff have been received from His Majesty's Embassy in China, but it is too early as yet to estimate its effect on British trade.
§ Captain P. Macdonaldasked the Prime Minister whether any Powers, including ourselves, subscribing to the recent resolution of the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva in favour of the grant of all possible assistance to China, have yet been able to implement the undertaking; and, if so, in what form?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I informed the House on 25th May, His Majesty's Government have done their best within the limits which the situation imposes on them to implement to the full their obligations to China under the League resolutions. His Majesty's Government are continuing their examination of this question which70W raises many difficulties, and I am not in a position to make any detailed statement on this subject for the present, nor can I report on action taken or contemplated by other Governments.