"I am sorry to say that these 'efforts have not so far been effective. The possibility of taking further steps towards this objective Present under consideration."
In any event, Lord Plymouth went Jon to state, the British Government Proposed to continue as at present, Jand do all in its power {to secure British trade and "shipping in. the pied areas of China from dis crimination in favour of Japanese, or fany other, interests, The latest available information indicated that the customs at Canton, Jwhile they had not actually been brought under Japanese control, had been subjected to a certain measure lof control by the Japanese, as in the lease of the Shanghai customs. A frumper of Japanese nationals were being added to the staff. The customs Jat Hoihow, on Hainan Island, had been treated in' the someway.
Ik was largely due to the courage Jand tenacity of Mr. Hooper, Deputy [Commissioner in charge of the cus-items at Canton at the time of ite that the customs adminis: that port had been held intact throughout the attack on Caaton, and its capture by the Japanese.
Aller recounting the facts relat"ag the occupation. of Hainan Island, jand quoting the statement of Mr. fHschiro Arita, the Japanese Foreisn Minister, that its duration would not exceed the period required by mill tary needs, Lord Plymouth said that although he was fully aware of the strategic or tactical considerations involved in these matters, It could. not said that there were any really [important Brllsh interests on the "Tue position of the French Govern ment was wndoublesly arent atlan Seleare Value treaty position of the French Jcovernment was tad onthe Chinese surance given in 1008. Sogerding oncallonaton, "and seeoray othe FrancoJapancse Agreement of O07 "We lad no sina agreement th sepa tore lyman poled ne
Power Treaty."
tion woe the Washington Nive ihe ely feng teng om the
ora "Plymouth said that Lora strabotg contended that the ases on the art of the Tapas could nol fave agen token witha Yew "to tieatening the boston of The clit ese Government out fiber it ust ave Soon taken wi the tention Sreatening, or giving malty to Nee }French and British Governments, was dimeut fo pass Judgment in this matter, "can only say." Lord Plymouth went on to declare, "that the actual casson given us by the Japanese authorities was whet Lord Strabo faulted, repeating what Mts. Arita had said regarding the period required by the military needs of the situation.
Lard Plymouth, observed that this was a "very. vague. phrase, T admit, but that is the position as' explained by the Japanese Government"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.