Charles Arsene-Henri, visited Mr. Masayuki Tani, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, this afternoon and announced the French decision. He handed Mr. Tani the official French Note on the decision and -asked that it be given to Admiral Nomura. The French Note contained a similar explanation for the withdrawal of French troops from North China.
The British Note to the Japanese Foreign Minister said that Britain had decided, for reasons of convenience "arising from the conflict in Europe" to maintain there (Tientsin) only effectives necessary to protect property and to maintain order. This decision has been notified to the various Governments who equally maintain garrisons in North China under the 1901 Protocol.
The reason for the withdrawal of the British troops, according to a statement issued by -the British Embassy, is that military requirements necessitate the presence of the North China British troops elsewhere.
A small number of Durham Light Infantry will remain in Tientsin to protect British property and maintain peace and order, Japan was informed.
The evening newspapers today enthusiastically welcomed the British decision to withdraw the majority of British forces from Tientsin.
An optimistic note was sounded by the "Yomiuri Shimbun" which asserted that the British attitude reflected improved Anglo-Japanese relations. The journal predicted further progress toward the settlement of pending Anglo-Japanese questions.
The Japanese Foreign Office's announcement regarding the settlement of six incidents involving American interests in China was also prominently featured in the "Yomiuri," which commented that the settlement would encourage progress in other American-Japanese matters.
The Gaimusho announcement was similar to the communique issued by the Japanese Embassy at Washington over the week-end. The six incidents which have been settled are—but minor affairs among 600 incidents over which representations and pro. tests have been made to Japan by the} American Government.—United Press.
Foreign Minister, Admiral Kichisaburo. Nomura, end among other things, it was learned, the British Ambassador informed ihe Japanese Government of the forthcoming reduction of British forces in North China.
Notice of the withdrawal of Britis troops was contained in a Note which the British envoy handed to the Foteign Minister. The Note says: "The British Government has been maintaining troops in North China in accordance to the 1901 Boxer Protocol but has now decided, owing to milit-ery necessity arising from the European war, to maintain only such a number of soldiers as is necessary for the protection of British properties and the maintaining of peace and order in North China."
The Note adds that the decision has been communicated to all foreign Powers entitled to maintain garrisons in North China by virtue of the 1901 protocol.
Japanese quarters here welcome the British decision, which, they allege, falls in line with the Japanese Government's representation of September 5, asking belligerent Powers to "eliminate all possible causes of untoward events between them and Japan in China.
It is not known here how many British troops will be withdrawn. Semi-official Japanese quarters estimate that, at present, there are "bout 1,000 British troops in North China—
Shanghai Included?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.