Paris, June 20.
All developments in Tientsin are being followed with the greatest interest here. French political circles stress the importance of the attitude of-the United States on which, they contend, everything depends.
It is hoped that the dispute can be settled locally. Failing this, a strong front by Great Britain, France and the United States is urged.
Apart from Tientsin, the diplomatic sphere, in the French view, presents a cheerful picture. No doubt is felt regarding the ultimate success of negotiations with Soviet Russia., An agreement between France and Turkey is expected to be announced at the end of the week.
Marshal Petain, French Ambassador to Spain, has returned from Burgos and had long conversations with M. Georges Bonnet, the Foreign Minister, regarding Spain.
Spanish assurances of neutrality and independence are accepted and welcomed here, The thorny question of Spanish gold in France is expected to be settled within a few days, and it is hoped that Spain will then take back her refugees now in France.
Reports are current regarding the movements of German troops in Bohemia, Moravia and on the Siegfried Line, but, at the moment, there is not sufficient information to indicate whether they are relief moves, or are intended to bring pressure to bear. on neighbouring countries—
A local Japanese report stating that a meeting of vegetable peddlers had decided to boycott the British Concession, and sell their produce only in the Japanese-controlled areas, deceived nobody in the foreign areas.
It was taken to be the usual candid advance notice of fresh measures contemplated against the Concessions.
It is interpreted as meaning that Japanese efforts to cut off whatever meagre supplies of vegetables may be trickling in by fair means of foul, will be redoubled, making things still more unpleasant for the population of the beleaguered areas.
The situation around the borders of the Concessions this morning was quiet, with queues of Chinese, noticeably smaller in number, waiting to pass the barriers.
The markets in the British and French Concessions present a more and more dismal sight, with here and there small bunches of rotting vege! ables, and a few chicken, and a total absence of other kinds of meat It was considered most desirable to remove the children from Tientsin's suffocating heat.
It is understood that conditions at Chinwangtao and at Peitaiho, where some of the party are to proceed, are quiet, with ample food supplies. The protracted drought, however, has resulted in a scarcity of fresh water.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.