London, Dec. 7.
BPTTERLY commenting on the manner in which the "Japanese are leaving no stone unturned in order to upset British trade in China, and bolster their own failing economic system," Lord Elibank yesterday instituted an enquiry in the House of Lords into what the British Government was doing to protect British trade in China. The enquiry.was linked to the fact that British trade interests in China are daily falling into a worse state.
Lord Elibank regretted that Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, was unable to be present, owing to his departure on a well-eared holiday.
He referred' to conditions ruling at Tsingtao, Tientsin, Shanghai, the Yangtze River, Hankow, and all over North China, operating against British trade and shipping, due to Japan~ ese action, in the shape of prohibitions, preferential duties, the commandeering of publi utilities, and Japanese trade monopolies. me Seniesa merle 'Lora Elibantc declared that one of ihe principal reasons for the capture mee of Canton was that "it created the frayest danger to Hongkong trade." ale ai oe area Tord Blibankc wanted to know what] tne' Government. proposed to do. to carry out Lord Halifax statement of £2
Suly' 27, that if Japanese action. was Taken ili order to defend their inter-fests, then "we had the same rights with xeyard to our interests." a Goch "ea Nobody in Great Britain had any idea of Fetaliation by force of arms, but there were many who believed that if "we retaliated in an economic sense, we would make some imprestion on the Japanese."
Tord Elibank said that he had previously suggested the denunciation of the Anglo-Japanese trade agreement of 1011, with regard to Japan's trade With the British colonies.
'A. second way, he declared, would be to close Hongkong to all Japanese Ships and cargoes between Japan and South China, and thus "effectively block Japanese trade with Cantor Another way would be the closure of all Indian and Straits Settlements ports to Japanese coastal shipping. vrigurely, Lord Barnby declared, fron which coninelge with the Sree Sores mee rae dae ea Soto
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