Evening star., 1939-06-15

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, June 15.-Prime Min
lister Chamberlain today indicated
the possibility of seeking joint action
by Britain, France and the United
States if Japan used the Tientsin
incident for more far-reaching de-
mands against foreign interests in
China.
He told the House of Commons
that Japanese spokesman at
Tientsin had indicated that the
object of Japan's blockade of the
British and French concessions was
to obtain "a much wider form of
cooperation from British author
1ties in China"
1T is clear" the Prime Minister
continued, that if this statement
represents the views Of authorities
in Toxic the japanese are using the
incident to make demands wider
and more far-reaching than the
handing over of the four men"
Mr.. Chamberlain referred to
Japan's earlier demand for delivery
to japanese authorities of four Chi
nese accused of killing a Tientsin
Official and now detained in the
British concession there. British re-
lection of this demand led to i'm
position of the blockade early
Wednesday,
Demands Raise Policy Questions.
Such demands" Mr.. Chamberlain
continued, would raise important
questions of policy in which other
great powers are concerned no less
than this country and the closest
touch is being maintained with the
French and United States govern
ments.
In the meantime, the British
government are considering the Sit
uation created by the refusal of
Japanese to accept a proposal for
committee of inquiry and by contin-
uance of the blockade of the settle
ment"
Mr.. Chamberlain said the situa-
ton was obviously a grave one,"
but added that Il am not prepared
at this moment to say what action
we shall decide to take"
DOmlninnS Informed
Dominions Secretary Sir Thomas
1nsklp reported in full to representa-
tives of the British dominions on the
issue at Tientsin as Britain was be-
lieved ready to take direct economic
action against Japan for blockad-
Ing the British concession.
Experts of the board of trade met
at the same time and reviewed Brit
ish-Japanese relations.
What type of economic retaliation
Britain might adopt was unknown,
but weapons at her disposal includ-
ed discriminatory tariffs, exclusion
OF japanese ships from British
controlled ports in the Far East
and embargoes against raw ma
terials shipped to Japan.
In addition, it was said she could
increase financial assistance to
China leader, Generalissimo Chang
kai-shek.
Chamberlain Takes Stroll.
Prime Minister Chamberlain went
out for his usual morning stroll to
study the bird life around the lake
III 81. James PARK, and had the Op-
portunity to learn the latest news
from Tientsin when he chanced up-
on his foreign secretary, Lord Hall
lax, They talked earnestly for 10
minutes, each shifting his umbrella
from one hand to the other as they
conversed.
The foreign Office yesterday con-
strued the japanese blockade of the
British concession as a challenge to
British rights and interests in
China.
Forbidding japanese to use the
ports of Hong Kong, Singapore and
Penang was suggested to r. A. But
Ter, foreign undersecretary, in the
House of Commons, while the For
elgn Affairs Committee of the cab
met was said to have discussed
measures against the japanese in
colonial and imperial markets.
Hope for speedy settlement of the
(See LONDON PaUo AAI