Evening star., 1937-12-21
BRITAIN WEIGHS
SPOWER FLEET
FOR CHINA DUTY
Joint Action With U. S. and
France Would Check
Japan Is Belief.
WOUNDED AMBASSADOR
SOON TO BE REPLACED
Government Told Six Major War
ships Necessary for Adequate
Protection of Interests.
Ey the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 21.-The House of
Commons gathered today for foreign
affairs debate, with a group of its
members advocating a mighty patrol
Of Chinese waters by combined fleets
of American, British and French war
ships.
At session of the group on the
eve of today's discussion the view was
expressed that a Jumping of the naval
forces of the three nations in the
Far East would tend to check ia
pans aim to dominate China to the
complete exclusion of foreign inter-
ests"
Prime Minister Neville Chamber
lain in addressing the House declared
that mo attempt has ever been made
by Japan for peaceful settlement" of
her war on China.
1T is time now for the japanese
government to show they are not
unmindful of the rights and interests
of foreigners and that their assur-
aces and apologies meant something
uoie liidl WoluS, tlic rAtAlIeI ue-
>. clared.
Concerning the entire foreign sit
uation, he said Great Britain's def
mite objective" is the settlement of
the grievances of the world without
war"
Chamberlain declined to be drawn
Into discussion of the origin of the
Chinese Japanese War but dealt spe-
cifically with japanese attacks on
British ships.
What we are doing now is awaiting
proof of the determination of the
japanese government to prevent re-
currence of these incidents =" he
said.
Not Forgetful of Duty.
I'VE still are anxious to serve the
cause of peace by means open to us.
But it must not be thought that our
desire for peace and our patience un-
der repeated provocation means we
either are Indifferent to our interna-
tional obligations or that we are for
getful of our duty to protect British
interests
Maj. Clement r. Attlee. Labor lead
er, declared that japanese attacks on
British and American warcraft bore
"a sinister resemblance" to assaults on
Russian shipping just before the an
nexation of Manchukuo.
Predicting that Hong Kong may be |
cut off from the mainland and Shang- |
hai may be left derelict," he charged |
the government was reaping the result |
'of its own past actions" in failing |
to curb Japan.
The opposition leader said the jap
anese, in attacking foreign vessels,
were trying it on to see what would |
be the results and utterly disregarding |
the interests of everybody else in
China.
They behave as if they were Gen. |
Franco and British commerce were
merely on a par with Spanish women |
and children" he continued.
Japan wants the hegenaony of the
Far East
Deplores Death of Bingham.
Urging "the greatest amount of CO.
operation with the United States" he
deplored the death of United States
Ambassador Robert W. Bingham, who,
he said, did so much to help better
the understanding between the two
countries"
He concluded with a statement that |
1t was the right and duty of the League
of Nations to support China in her |
fight against aggression"
The government already had en-
phasized its grave view of the Far |
Eastern crisis by naming a new AM
bassador to China to replace Sir Hughe !
Knatchbull- -Hugessen, inactive since
he was wounded last August when
Japanese aerial machine gunners
strafed his automobile
Kerr Will Go to China.
The foreign cfice announced Sir
Archibald Kerr, Ambassador to Bagh-
dad since 1885, would succeed him "as
soon as possible"
Recent events in the Far East" the
announcement said, had made it nee
essary that Britain be represented in
China "by a diplomat of ambassa-
dorial rank and that arrangements
to such an end should be made with
the least possible delay"
The Britishs cabinet had been re-
ported weighing the dispatching of
six capital warships to reinforce its
China fleet on advice Of naval au-
thorities.
Admiralty experts were said to have
told the government that six major
warships-battleships or battle cruis-
ers-were necessary for adequate pro-
lection of British interests.
In informed quarters the belief was
expressed that Chamberlain and Eden
were ready to push through the China
fleet reinforcements over vigorous op-
position.
All Parties Are Agreed.
Members of Parliament urging the
three-power show OF naval strength
included men from all parties.
In their private meeting yesterday
under the Craftsmanship of Sir Cyril
Entwhistle, Vice Admiral c. v. Us
borne, one-time director of the naval
intelligence division, suggested i'm
mediate creation OF joint naval ad-
visory council on Far Eastern affairs
by Britain, the United States and
France. It would function merely for
maintenance of existing rights" and
would be absolutely non-aggressive.
Britain'S naval strength in the
Orient today was much inferior to
Japan's, but, it was said, "a threat Of
qambined action would be enough to !
stsr Japan"