London, May 31.
A boarding of the s. Ranpura CONCILIATORY reply to the British protest regarding the has been received by the British Bmbassy in Shanghai from the Japanese naval authorities, the "Daily Telegraph-Morning Post" announced today.
The reply ix said to have stated that the boarding of the British liner was the consequence of a misunderstanding.
The newspaper opined that the answer may be interpreted tically, and at any rate appeases the fears that Japan is preparing a general blockade of the Chinese coast—Havas.
London, May 31.
'The British Government prepared today 10 meet the latest Japanese threats' against British interests in Chin British Government circles in" Aigated Britain. was prepared 19 expand her precent policy of merely extending financial ald to Ching to a policy of direct resistance 10 Japan~ Use enereachements upon British interest Await Japanese Action The proposed British note Tokyo, which is now under active consideration, will be patterned in faecordaneé with Japan's. action in the next few days, it 1s understood.
The decision to send a new note of protest and warning to Japan was reselled after the British Ambassador in Tokyo, Sir Robert. Craigie, reported that the Japanese Foreign GMice had confirmed a statement of a Japanese spokesman" who said Japan would use force If "necessary {to obtain control of foreign settle ments. in. China, If Japan relaxes what is regarded here as iMegal interference" with British treaty rights. in China inthe next few days, the tenor of the im= Pending British note, and the possible counter-measures which "It may announce, will be mitigated, Government civeles indicated.
However, if Japan proceeds with her encroachment. "upon British shipping along the Ching coast and continues "40 press her demands for the transfer of the foreign settlements {0 virtual Japanese sovereignty, then Britain will resort to measures of economic retaliation assuming the character of minor sanctions defence of her interests.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.