Jgave the Commission assurances that they would not attack but they reserved the right to defend them~ solves. The Chinese intimated that Jany advance of Japanese forees into [Chinese territory would be resisted. The Japanese declared that, as Chi-Inese troops were now -s0 close to the Settlement, their defensive measures would possibly necessitate their taking up certain positions which might or might not be without the Settlement, In response to suggestions that the 88th Division should be withdrawn an effort to compose the situation, Mr. Yul intimated that orders for that withdrawal would have to come {from Nanking.
The other Consuls expressed their anxiety for the safety of their respective nationals and.asked what they could do to help in averting a Jclash. The suggestion was made by the italian representative that forjelgn troops—other than Japanese—should take over posts at certain points to ensure no clash between the Chinese and Japanese forces. Mr. Okamoto agreed to this, but it was not acceptable to the "British and American representatives, nor could the Italians provide suMiclent troops for the purpose. The meeting ad-Journed after a sitting of about an hour and a halt, Tt was felt that the Commission had never had an opportunity of composing two strongly divergent points of view. The attitude of the two principals did not encourage much hope of avoiding a conflict for reasons which are obvious in study-the assurances given. In fact tke growing gravity of the situation mas already dominant in the minds of those who had awaited the result of the Commission's proceedings with considerable anxiety. of hostilities
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.