Canton, July 6.
In a statement to the press here last night, the spokesman of the Japanese Expeditionary Force to South China, denounced the denial issued by the British military authorities In Hongkong that an agreement with the [Japanese military authorities had been reached by the British, The Japanese accusation that the Eritish authorities had informed the [Chungking government of the impending fresh Japanese drive near the Hongkong borders before it actually opened, had been denied in an oficial statement issued by the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of British Military. Forees in China, The Japanese military authorities, was recalled, in accordance with the yentleman's agreement reached with the Hongkong military authori ties, had duly given friendly notifica tion to the British authorities. prior to the opening of their military operations near the Kowloon border, "The Japanese military authorities recently denounced the fact that the British authorities at Hongkong had informed the Chungking government of the mew Japanese operations neat the Hongkong-Chinese border, which had caused great diticulties to the Japanese campaign. The British gar~ ison headquarters then refuted the Jupanese reproach to cover up the wrong they had done the spokesman <The British authorities explained that they had received the Taponese iotiacation 12 hours before the Japan.
operations had begun. Neverthe: {es "the Japanese had "netiied the Beh Gonstt-Generl at Canton ant 209 etc lock in the evening of une 2, hankow ofthe Japanese. campaign
and the Japanese landing at Paoas teas alfeted early in the morning of ge 2290 ours ster the nliteation a spokesman con ven the spokesman eon.
Tt is hard to understand why the British: Consul at Canton telegraphed the morning of Sune 2h 14 hours Biter "the "information had. "been ccuweyed to him.
"Furthermore, the British authotities pointed out that the Japanese Russia Wants Burma Road Kept Open London, July 0.
Sir Stafford Cripps, the British Ambassador to Moscow, informed Britain that Russia would firmly oppose the closing of the Burma-Yunnan Road, and the Foreign OMe intends to cite this when it rejects the Japanese demand to close the Burma Road, informed elrelor understood here today, 'These circles. believed the British answer to the Japanese demands Would be sent to the British Ambas~ gader to Tokyo, Sir Robert Craigie, within the next' two days. "They be= Ueved the answer would simply say that other countries are involved in the question and therefore the British Government Is unable to consent to the. closure:
The British answer, according to reliable sources, will also point out that nen-military. goods also pass and from China by that route. These sources believed the Japanese demands that trame from Hongkong be" halted will be dismissed 05 Aeademie because the traflle is vir~
Reliable sources revealed that the Soviet Foreign Commissar, M. Viacheslav Molotov, told Sir "Stafford that Russia Is Memly opposed to any action which. would weaken China's Tesislance, Mr. Molotov was quoted fas saying. that. besines Soviet ship= ments through Sinkiang. Soviet dk liveries also continue via Burma and therefore Russia feels entitled to have fa'voice in the fate of the Burma Road, While eager to reach an amicable settlement with Japan, Britain is disinclined to sacrifice China oF che Ganger tHe prospect of an improvement in Anglo-Soviet relations, which have shown a slight improve: ment as the result of talks conducted In Moscow by Sir Stafford, 'While consulting with Australia and New Zealand regarding the Japanese demands, Britain has also acquainted the United States with the latest developments and' exchanged views with Russia, "Tnformed circles hinted that Britain might urge Japan to communicate directly with Washington concerning the demands, which also involve United States interests, United Pres notification was received by the British authorities in Hongkong 12. hours before the opening of the Japanese operations and it was impossible for Gen, Chiang Kai-shek to receive such information from Hongkong and send his orders to Pengshantu which is too far to be reached in such a period of time. Nevertheless, that isnot technically impossible," the Army spokesman emphasized.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.