Statements made by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, and Mr. R.A. Butler, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in the House of Commons, are "casting gloom" over Anglo-Japanese relations, the "Nichi-Nichi" commented today.
The paper expressed regret over the British altitude regarding the Gen. Chiang Kai-shek administration fin view of the fact that Anglo-[Japanese relations developed improvement recently through negotiations between the Japanese Foreign [Minister and the British Ambas-
Statements of Mr. Chamberlain and Mr, Butler were seen by the journal jas 'a "threatening gesture to bring about a development of reported Anglo-Japanese negotiations in Tokyo in favour of Britain."
Air-Conditioning economies enforced by the authorities have been quietly accopted, but there was a popular outery when it became known that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry contemplated a ban on air-conditioning.
Theatres and restaurants were Joudest in their clamour against this proposal, enforcement of which, they pointed out, would seriously interfere with their business.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry argued that it was improper for the people at home to enjoy the comfort of air-conditioning when the Japanese troops at the front were fighting on sun-scorched battlefields, The theatres and restaurants replied that, while they fully appreciated the discomfort of the troops in China, the air-conditioning of their establishments was necessary both from the standpoint of health and sanitation, This view was supported by the police, and the proposal was finally
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.