London, July 19.
The situation in the Far East continued confused and anxious, and was difficult to describe in precise terms, said the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, in the House of Commons to-The causes and responsibility of st clash, he declared, remained and the course of the s in progress locally were not fully known.
"None the less," Mr. Eden added, "all the indications encourage us to believe that the present situation, grave as its possibilities undoubtedly are, was not deliberately provoked by either Government."
Both the Chinese and Japanese governments had assured—His Majesty's Government that they were anxious to avoid an extension the trouble, Britain had express sed to both governments the earnest hope that the situation should not be eugravated and that a peaceful settle-ut might be possible.
A government had been assured that the movements of Chinese and Japanese troops was purely a precautionary and defensive measure, and that there is no intention whatever of starting hostilities.
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