"This agitation appears to be directed by the Japanese-sponsored Chinese administration of Pootung and there is reason to believe that certain Japanese elements are actively connected with it.
"The circumstances in which Japa! ese. marines were called to restore order in one of the factories in ques-[tion was already explained in an answer given on Monday.
"Representations have been made both to the local Japanese authorities by His Vajesty's Consul-General in Shanghai (Sir Herbert Phillips) and to the Japanese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo (Sir Robert Leslie Craigie) requesting that early steps should be taken to put a stop to the activities in question,"
After Mr. Butler concluded his statement, Mr. Moreing made a further declaration, stating that it was his firm opinion that the strikes he had referred to were not "bona fide" strikes at all.
Mr, Ben Smith, Labour member for Rotherhithe, then asked, "When will the Government assert the prestige of Britain?"
He received no reply,—Havas:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.