Evening star., 1932-01-29
BRITISH BACK i. S.
IN SHANGHAI MOVE
Powers Take Firm Stand
for Protection of For
eign Colony.
Continued From First Page)

Continued From First Page)
force became clearly inadequate to pro-
tect life and property.
ION wednesday our Government made
such a communication to Japan and
we have now received an answer assur-
ing this Government that international
rights and interests in Shanghai would
not be interfered with.
Il learned this morning from the
British Ambassador that his govern
ment has made the same suggestions to
the Japanese that were conveyed by
ourselves
An informal communication such as
we made to the British has been made
by both Great Britain and ourselves to
he French and Italian governments.
News Conflicting.
mo other proposals for international
action have been made by the Ameri-
can Government"
News from Shanghai continued to-
day to be conflicting. While official
reports indicate that a truce had been
arranged between the fighting Japa-
nese and Chinese troops, other news
from equally reliable sources state that
japanese military alrplaneS, Whlch
have been lowering over the city and
the Settlement had dropped bombs,
which have hit and damaged the house
Of an American missionary. Other re-
ports. which have remained for the
time bong unConfirmed indicate that
the Japanese military authorities have
the intention of occupying the radio
station.
The administration considers, how
ever. the entire situation as improved,
owing to the fact that the British have
decided to cooperate with the Amerl-
can Government for the preservation
of their common interests in Shanghai,
for the present and probably through
out China at a latter date.
It is stated from reliable quarter
that the British hesitation to join the
United States in a common action in
Shanghai was due to the fact that the
British wanted to know definitely how
far the United States Government was
willing to 60 to protect its interests.
Neither Great Britain nor this coun-
try wants to embark in a risky venture
in the Far East. But it is believed that
events have proved that mild and
hesltant policy can be only harmful
and encourage the Japanese to proceed
States The British were afraid a hesi-
tant attitude on the part Of the United
States at some crucial moment would
be more perniCiCus to their interests
than to ours. The British have TO
maintain their prestige with the people
Of the East, observers point out. Once
they embark into a policy of demanding
from an Eastern nation like Japan to
respect her treaty rights and privileges
it must be certain to be in a position
to enforce her demands at practically
any price.
Otherwise. the impression through
out India. the Middle East and prob
ably. Egypt would be fatal to the En-
plre.
Approval WhoIehearted.
This is the only reason the majority
of the British cabinet has withheld
its consent to cooperate with the
United States in Shanghai When the
British cabinet gained tie certitude
that the United States would not let
them down at the eleventh hour. the
entire cabinet approved Fundamentally
the request for cooperation
Three of the four dGStrOyers, which
are steaming to the Chinese Coast
from Manila will be stationed at
Shanghai, instead Of joining the Yang
ze River patrol as previously ordered
The fourth will join the patrol, Ad-
mTsl Montgomery NJ. Taylor. COM
manding the Asiatic Fleet from Ma
Mia today advised the Navy
The destroyer BOrie. with six officers
ana 115 men. is soon due at Shanghai
and there will take up defense of the
power station in the International Set
tlement.
Hooker also mesSaged that a meeting
Of the International Defense Commit
tee Will be held at pm. today, East
ern standard time
In his message, Col. Hooker said con-
corning the truce that in view Of prom
ises made heretofore by both Sides the
British consul general had urged that
no precautions be relaxed.
The move of the Warships was un-
dertaken by the United States ASiatiC
Fleet command upon receipt Of ap-
prOval from Washington. Naval radio
between the Capital and Manila where
Admiral Montgomery M Taylor, COM
mandcr of the feet, is based, hummed
steadily as general instructions, kept
highly confidential here, went West
Taylor relayed back reports Of develop
mentS at Shanghai to the Navy Depart
ment.
The U. S S. Houston, flagship Of
Admiral Taylor has been ordered to
postpone a scheduled dry docking for