(Continued from page 310) and even that under the terms of Mr. Chamberlain's pronouncement would have had to be refused—but of changing her attitude with regard to her definite commitments to other nations with whom she is united by treaty with regard to their rights and obgations in the Far East. The contentions put forward in the Tokyo declaration on the present deadlock to the effect that "there fs no room for argument that these matters can be subject to discussion between Japaa and Great Britain, and that they are local issues, nor is there any reason to claim that these matters cannot be settled between the that they are not of a simply will not, in view of all the circumstance hold water. It is a view based, not upon the realities of the fo ation, bit' upeat dapaaies desires. of what they would like to see effected. There is very often a wide margin between what country would like to obtain, and wi another is willing to concede and that margin Seems now to have been reached between Great, Britain and, Japan, That it isnot unbridgeable is evidenced by the passage the British official statement in: which wil-Tingness is expressed to examine the position afresh, provided that the interests of all Parties can be protected. For this purpose is pointed out the British Government would presume it necessary for both Government to consult with and have regard to the views of third parties, and the declara~ tion concludes "It considers it essential, however, that all parties to the Nine Power Treaty and other {reaties which govern the situation in China will be enabled, at the appropriate time, to express their views and make a contribution which would be equitable for all concerned."
'A fairer estimation of the actual position could not possibly be put forward. Great Britain, singled out for this particular Japan-jose offensive, refuses to do anything whi might weaken the position of other third party neutrals in China, and in doing so fighting their battle as well as her own, and, when the affiliations of some of those neutrals fare taken into consideration, the position is mot without its irenic aspects. the Municipal Council. foreign authorities has been a dual cause of complaint. The Japanese objected to this humanitarian intervention, and after some time [in internment serious trouble broke out among the internees, necessitating strong action to oppress it. Now, the local Japanese official gan has opened a campaign against them fand reports that Japanese ratepayers may refuse to pay their rates if the drain on municipal finances for their upkeep is to be main-{ained. It is a question of Solomonic perplexity, Jand' the clamant Japanese ratepayers can assured that the Municipal Council is as anxious as anybody to solve it, but nobody has yet offered the means of doing it. Neither does the Japanese newspaper which inspires the jelomour. It Is one of those difficulties which the Council must continue to endure until Jpeace once again rules in this country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.