Tokyo, Feb. 18.
Sir Robert Craigie, British Ambassador to Japan, is convalescing at Hayama from a bad cold, but there are indications that after his return to the capital there will be a resump~ tion of negotiations on the Tientsin question. There have been quiet talks proceeding for some time between minor officials of both sides in this connection although formal discussions were: interrupted by the Asama Maru Affair, British authorities into me today that they believe there is quite a good chance to reach a settlement although at. this time the ground must be well prepared. A favourable ta is that Mr. Hachiro Arita is again Foreign Minister and it is conceded that he is familiar with the question and is interested in a successful conclusion of the negotleions.
In regard to the Asama Maru affair, it is admitted that the question regarding the remaining German prisoners is still alive, but it depends on whether Japanese political leaders intend to push vigorously for an im~ mediate show-down, or whether to let it subside for later discussion. In any case, it is thought that a essential settlement has been made in the reference to the Anglo-Japanese arrangement regarding China, Various obstacles still exist but the -eeling is that things generally are setter.
This belief, of course, is apart from Mr, Arita's hopeful remarks recently [inga in e uke y Tientsin question. It is ne › however, that the Japanese have not abated their demands for the return of the Germans remaining in British detention although at present they are busily concerned in ethos matters,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.