HINA was the mi London, July 26. focus of attention in the House of Commons: yesterday, when a series of questions relating to many different aspects of the China situation kept Mr. R, A, Butler, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, busy giving replies to members' queries.
Among the matters under discuss ion was a suggestion that the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1911 be terminated in so far as the importation of Japanese goods into the British Crown Colonies 4s concerned; the return of foreign business firms to Japanese-controlled areas; the reported intention of the Japanese to take over Chinese mills in areas under their control; the reported reorganization of the railways in North China by the Japanese; the question of assaults on British subjects in the International Settlement; and other matters, Sir John' Haslam, Conservative member for Bolton, asked whether Freedom for British Shipping the Government was considering the Replying to a question by Omer. desirability of giving notice that they Arthur Marsden, rix, Conservative would terminate the Anglo-apanese member for the Chertsey Division of Treaty of 1911, insofar as it affected Surrey, and to a further question by the importation. of Japanese goods it John Haslam, Mr, Butler declared into the British Crown Colonies, un-that the matters they raised respec-less the Japanese Government' was tively, namely the question of free-prepared to show a greater consi-dom of transit for British merchant deration for British trade and. inshipping on inland waterways terests in the Far East.
China, and the state of the negotia-Mr, Butler replied in the aflirmations between the Shanghai Consular tive, stating that the matter had.
Body and the Japanese authorities for received some consideration, but that} the resumption of dredging operations Lord Halifax, Foreign Secretary, was by the Whangpoo Conservancy Board, not in a position to make a staiement were among those which would be on the matter at the present moment, reviewed by Sir Robert Craigie and General Ugaki in conversations dur-Shanghai Harbour, Dues ing the next few days, Replying to Sir John Haslam on Mr, Butler stated that he was bear-another point, Mr, Butler said that ing in mind the fact that "this great he had now received a report from area of inland water transport".was the British Embassy authorities in very remote from the scene of hostili-Shanghai regarding alleged discrimina~ ties, and that he was aware of the' tion in favour of Japanese commercial importance of these water-shipping in the matter of the payment of harbour dues ther
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.