London, July 17.
SHOULD like to make it clear that this country would not, and could not, so act with regard to its foreign policy, at the demand of another Power, nor has the British Government received any such demands from the Japanese Government, declared the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in a statement on the situation in the Far East in the House of Commons today, in referring to British and Japanese press reports that the Japanese Government would require a fundamental reversal of the Far Eastern policy of the British Government as a condition for the opening of the negotiations in Tokyo regarding the Tientsin dispute.
Replying to a series of questions on the situation in the Far East, Mr. Chamberlain quoted a Tokyo communique to the effect that' Mr. Hachiro Arita, the Japanese Foreign Minister, and Siz Robert Craigi the British Ambassador, met on July 15 at, the former's official residence, and held friendly discussions on general questions forming the background of the situation which had arisen at Tientsin, "The interview was adjourned for further consideration of the lusues raised. The dates for the oflelal opening of the negotiations Tokyo on questions arising from the situation had not yet been fixed. require the Far Eastern policy of the British Government as a condition for the opening of negotiation:
should like to make it clear that this country would not, and could not, act wilh regard to its foreign potley at the demand of another ower (general cheers), nor has the British Government received any such demands from the Japanese Jai "tq the opinion of Sir Robert Craigie, the Japanese oficial attitude would be more correctly described as a'desire that Britain should endeavour {o regard the Sino-Japanese hostilities with more understanding of Japanese UiMeulties and the Japanese side of he case.
"rhe British Government share the Ambassador's view that. to attribut to the Japanese Government intention which may be found to have no basis, In fact, would only be calculated coludice the success of the negotia-about and had made demonstrations in front of the British Embassy, foreing the police to intervene, He thought it was all quiet there now.
It-Commander R. N, Fletcher, Labour member for the Nuneaton division of Warwickshire, asked if there had been any outrages against Britons in Tientsin. since Mr. Chamberlain announced that it must be a condition for negotiations with Japan that such outrages must cease.
Mr. Chamberlain replied he had seen a report that some further restrictions had been placed on. the passage of Britons entering and lea {ng the Concession. He'did not think there had been anything compar to the outrages of which the Bri Government had complained before, Mr. Anthony Eden, former Foreign Secretary, asked if it was to be under stood that the Japanese Government, had not asked that these questions should 4e extended beyond the local {issue in Tientsin.
Mr. Chamberlain replied; "I didn't quite say that, The conversations between Mr. Arita' and Sir Robert [Craigie did range on the general background against which the Japanese Government considered the Tientsin incident should be considered, but they (the Japanese Government) did of suggest that the discussions or the settlement of those general questions should be q condition for the negotia-proceeded to say coal situation in Tientsin the whole improved, Pood now entering and adequate sup~ now available.
Anti-British demonstrations had ocqurred at various towns in North China and some damage had been dione to missionary property in Shansi,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.