Japanese Assurances Not Fulfilled; Navigation Of Inland Waterways Also Questioned by MP.
London, Mar. 1.
In the House of Commons last night, Mr. R. H. Morgan, National Conservative member for Worcestershire, Stourbridge division, asked whether the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers had been opened for general trade, as promised by the Japanese Prime Minister on December 18, and if not, to what extent trade and shipping in those waters were still Subject to restriction.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Mr. R. A. Butler, in a written reply, said the rivers As regards the Yangtze, the river was still closed to third Power shipping above Kiangyin, while below this point British vessels were operating under certain difficulties, which had been brought to the notice of the Japanese authorities.
Mr. Morgan also asked what steps had been taken to secure the reopening to British shipping of inland waters in China, in the Yangtze delta, other than the Yangtze itself, and whether British vessels were now able to ply freely along accustomed routes.
Mr, Butler, tu a written reply, said that Lord Halifax the Foreign of Pitkaeranta on Lake Ladoga, was repulsed, the communique said, "Elsewhere," it continued, "there was artillery activity and patrol skirt mishes."
The Finns destroyed four Russian tanks and one armoured car, the communique claimed. At Kuhmo, it said, "a few" Red strong points were captured. Fighting continued in the Petsamo district—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.