It is hot for this Chamber to take any part in political issues except insofar as politics impinge on trade. But when it is remembered that British capital invested in China aggregates approximately £ 300,000,000, that some of this is in jeopardy, as a result of the present invasion and the possibilities inherent in the situation, while its earning capacity must inevitably be prejudiced and when #e think of our businesses which since August have been crippled, and consider the potentialities of the present hostilities in relation to trade, commerce and industry, it will be apparent that we have a very real interest in the outcome of the struggle which even now has so seriously impinged upon our rights and legitimate aspirations, and that we cannot ignore the implications of the Japanese invasion, Though the Japanese Government has given repeated assurances regarding the maintenance of the territorial and administrative integrity, of China and though her spokesmen have been equally emphatic regarding non-interference with foreign rights and in-it is difficult to reconcile such statements with the events of the past eight months.
The establishment, under nominal Chinese control, of the "Provisional Government' of the Republic of China" in Peking and of the "Reformed Government of the Republic of China" in Nanking may, in theory maintain the administrative and territorial integrity of China, but such independence is more apparent than real, and if the declared intentions of Tokio become effective and Japanese corporations fare established under franchises from the "Prov nal" and "Reformed" Governments to operate and control al} railw telegraphic communications, mining, electrical undertakings and some of the key industries, such monopolies would naturally seriously affect British Interests.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.