NEWS OF THE WEEK
IIIIHE British declaration on British policy in China has I done its work in clearing away the obstacles to a dis- cussion on the local situation at Tientsin. That discussion is in full progress, and though it would be premature to predict its outcome a reasonably cordial atmosphere is said to be prevailing. The vagueness of the British declara- tion has led to a diversity of comment in many countries. The Axis Press, whose observations on such a matter are of no importance since their only purpose is propaganda, of course hails the declaration as complete surrender. What is much more important, in Chinese circles it has• been generally interpreted in that way, and a number of American papers are highly critical. The French Press is divided. In fact it is too early to see what effect the declaration will have. The Prime Minister and Mr. Butler in the House of Commons have insisted that it implies no change whatever in British policy, and the discontent of the Japanese army with the declaration suggests that the General Staff fears that statement may be true. There has been no further fall in the Chinese currency ; on the other hand anti-British propaganda in various parts of China has not been relaxed, which indicates that while the Japanese Cabinet is satisfied with the formula, whatever its meaning, the military intend to go their own way still. But their power at Tokyo may be on the wane.
