Continuing, Lord Plymouth recalled Lord Elibank's reference to the "very unsatisfactory position in the International Settlement."
He said that slight progress had been made in the direction of additional permits for factories and for Chinese workmen proceeding to their jobs, but progress was "very small."
"We are continuing to press the matter as strongly as possible," Lord Plymouth stressed.
Passing on to questions of a wider character, he said that pronouncements had recently been made in Tokyo with regard to the formation of an economic and political bloc, comprising Japan, China and Manchoukuo, in which Japan was the predominant partner.
"I wish to say categorically that the British Government cannot possibly subscribe to this attitude, an I would like to clarify the position," Lord Plymouth went on.
Treaties Must Be Upheld The position, he explained, was governed by the Washington Treaty, and other international agreements, to which the British Government,' in conjunction with a large number of other Governments, was a party.
"Particularly," Lord Plymouth continued, "would I like to recall that the parties of the Nine Power Treaty bound themselves to respect the sovereignty and independence, the territorial and administrative integrity of China; to provide the fullest opportunity for China to develop a stable Government; to maintain the Open Door; and to refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China to obtain special rights and privileges infringing on the, rights of the.subjects of the respective States.
"The British Government could not consider any alteration brought about by unilateral action.
"Our stand is the same as that of the United States, laid down a statement to the Press on November 4.
"This statement would serve equally to define the attitude of the British Government,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.