London, Dec. 21.
G6NPTE are still anxious to serve the cause of peace by any honourable means open to us, but it must not be thought that our desire for peace and our patience under repeated provocation means that we are either indifferent to our international obligations or forgetful of our duty to protect British interests."
This statement was made in the House of Commons to-day by the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in referring to the Far Eastern situation during a debate on foreign affairs. He added:
"It is now for the Japanese Government to show that they in their turn are not unmindful of the rights and terests foreigners, and that their assurances and apologies mean something more than words."
The House was packed to the doors, with the French, German, Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian and Portuguese Ambassadors and the Swiss, Esthonian and Greek Ministers listening from the Diploma: tie Gallery, when the debate was opened by Mr. C. R. Attlee, the Leader of the Opposition, who strongly criticized Japan "for her complete disregard of international I He charged her with entirely disregarding the interests of anybody League was making very litre differ-else in China and also accused the ence to the situation, The British British Government of drifting with Government would continue to give out a definite objective in its forthe League its warmest support eign policy. In talking too narrow a the belief that it could still afford a view of British interests, he thought nucleus for a better and more com that they had lost. opportunities "of prehensive organization for the main-securing ce-operation to maintain tenance of peace. peace, which was Britain's major The objective of the Government interest, {in foreign affairs, he sal He observed that world affairs eral settlement of grievances of the tle accorded with the peaceful tradi-world without war, tions of the season. He did not in the least regret italy's departure Liberal Opposition View from the League, where hor presence The fulfilment of obligations under had become a weakness rather than the Nine-Power Treaty was advocated source of strength, but this renunby Sir Archibald Sinclair, the Liberal elation by three great Powers of the Leader, who spoke after Mr. League, he said, meant there was no Chamberlain, peace in the world.
He recognized that this would involve economic pressure against Anti-British Propaganda Japan, and added: "We have to be Deal{ng with propaganda, which he prepared with such forces as would alleged certain states were directing make the prospects of retaliation against the League, the ideal of peace hopeless.' and the British Empire, the Labour Leader declared that it had never cat iclbald, Sinclar expreseet he opinion respect whi been used with such intensity or on Japanese militarists would show for such a widespread scale as was now British interests "would be in direct being used deliberately against this ratio to our capacity and resolve te country. defend them.
He had heard very disturbing re-"Doubtless it the Japanese won ports regarding propaganda in South against China, and we have still no American countries, where numbers greater means of defence on the spot, of news reels were shown in which they would keep the Open Door in there was nothing to the credit of [China for British merchants but across this country but only things of di ft would be written the word "Exit." In regard to Hongkong, the Liberal Mr." Attlee understood that the Leader suggested the movement of subject of Colonies was discussed at ships to positions capable of defend the recent talks in Berlin between ing British interests if directly at-Herr Hitler and Lord Halifax, tacked. Such movements, he said, "We on this side!" he said, "do would not be inconsistent with neu= not believe that Colonies can be trality, This could be undertaken treated as counters in a game of only in close ce-operation. with diplomatic bargaining (cheers). When France, both in European and Far we consider the colonial claims of Eastern waters, hungry Powers, we must remember that they would be equally valid for Ca-operation with U.S.
Poland, "Czechoslovakia, Austria or "We have no right." Sir Archibald Switzertand,"
Sinclair declared, "lo call for United States ce-operation to defend purely 'Mr, Chamberlain Replies British interests, but while Britain 'Mr. Chamberlain, in replying, ex: and the United' States are in close pressed personal regeat that' the consultation the Jatter could not mis Opposition thought it necessary understand our motives. Once it is have another public discussion of for-apparent to the United States that eign affairs. Tt was so dificult, he we are determined (0 act on our own declared, to say anything which could responsibility, the United "States do good, and so, easy to say much, might decide' to act on parallel lines which might do harm. to protect her interests."
Turning to the Far East, the Prime The Liberal Leader then took up Minister said that he would not dis Mr. Chamberlain's remark, made in uss the origin of what had now be-reply to an interjection by Mr. Attlee, come a major war, although without that Britain could not be the police:
declaration of war, Whatever the man of the world alone and that the origin, he continued, it certainly was Opposition was blind to the fact that 4 fact that there had been no attempt other countries had refused to rally by Japan to seek a settlement by the British lead in support of the League.
'Mr. Chamberlain rogzetted the Sir Archibald Sinclair thought this Japanese refusal to take part in the statement was in itself a confession Brussels Conference, which had been of the failure of the Government's disappointing to all' friends of peace foreign policy.
its outcome, But there was one feature from which they drow satis Feasibility of Sanctions faction, namely, that throughout the Sir Arthur Salter, formerly econo British' had found themselves in com= mic adviser to the Chinese Governplete and harmonious. agreement ment, said that Japan was aiming not with the delegation of the United only at the domination of China but States, hegemony in the East to the complete 'The Yangtze Incidents lexelusion of the West, 'The latest development in the war 'He admitted the difficulties of comin China, the Prime Minister pro-[bined action, but pointed cut that Col, ceeded, had been attacks on British Henry' Stimson," formerly United and American ships in the Yangtze.
States Secretary' of State, had drawn The House was aware of the repeated attention to the fact that Japan de-representations which had been made pended for her vital resources in to the Japanese Government, conducting her campaign on imports "We are now awaiting proof," Mr. {from the. British Empire and. the Chamberlain stated, "of the deter-[United States, mination of the Japanese Government In any combined action, he added, to prevent a recurrence of such inci-the risk of an hostile retort must be dents. It is for the Japanese Govern-contemplated, but if the action in-ment to show that they are not uncluded two of the greatest countries mindful of the rights and interests hho did not believe that the risk would of foreigners, and that their apologies be very great.
assurances are something more Anyhow, Sir Arthur Salter con-than empty words. cluded, momentary inferiority, mill-'The Prime Minister agreed with ary or naval, should not deter us if Mr, Attlee in regarding that the ultimate resources were certain to Mahan notice of withdrawal from the lead us to the desired end.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.