London, June 18.
Little hope remained today for a compromise in- the Anglo-Japanese Tientsin dispute, according to Whitehall quarters here.
They said the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Cabinet would meet tomorrow to consider measures of reprisal and precaution, the latter 1o avert any dangerous clashes thai might otherwise be provoked by minor incidents, The Ministers would most likely decide to enforce the measures adopted unless an amicable settlement on a local basis was reached within a few days.
Economic sanctions would be progressively put into operation. They would include:
1, Denunciation of the Anglo-Japanese trade agreement of 1911, 2. Imposition of heavy "duties on Japanese goods imported into British colonies, 3. Institution of quotas for imports of Japanese goods into the British Empire. the Japanese currency and in SUpport of the Chinese currency.
No- request for support has as yet been made to Washington, for Britain wishes to refrain from any steps that might be held in the United States as "pressure" But American adherence is anticipated if Britain initiates strong action.
Moscow Negotiations It was stated in some quarters that the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting tomorrow would also discuss ways to speed up negotiations with Moscow, The early conclusion of an agreoment with Russia was held to be of special importance following receipt of reports that Germany would make supreme efforts to neutralize the U.SSR: m Europe by means of proposals for non-aggression and trade accords, The Committee would study the latest memo received from the Soviet Government through Sir William Seeds, British Ambassador in Moscow.
In this memo, the Soviets emphasized the vital need for "unreserved automatic guarantees" covering their north-western borders just as similar pledges covered other cases of direct er indirect aggression.
The British Government, it was understood, sent new instructions to Sir William Seeds this evening, however, It suggested a new, simpler for-inula in respect of protection for the U.SS.R's north-western frontier. This new scheme was evolved during consultations held with Paris since Friday.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.