Trade:   China (reprisals)
15/       // /39
1$
BRITISH 1MBA3SY,
WASHINGTON, D.C
January 19tht 1939.
No* 70#
My Lord,
I have the honour to report that Senator
Key Flttaan, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, is reported ae having in a press Interview
given his rather grudging approval to the attitude
of His Majesty's Government as sot forth la the
note presented by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo
on the 14th January, towards the Japanese "new order1*
in the Far Bast*
2. "I think the aotlon of the British Govern-
ment", ho is reported as saying, "following the
aotlon of our government in refusing to accept the
repudiation of the Nine-Power Pact by Japan and la
insisting that the sanctity of treaties Punnet bo
violated under the excuse of a now order in the world,
is very encouraging,   mis Is only the second time,
however in over seven years that Great Britain or any
other party to the Nine-Power Pact has supported our
government In its efforts to maintain obodienoa to
peaoo treaties*   It Is unfortunate that this action
was not taken by Great Britain In support of the
protest Made by our government to Japan at the time
of the Invasion of Manchuria. "
*• 1/
The Sight Honourable
VALM:ACKU:NT
The Viscount Halifax, K* G«,
etc*,
etc.,
eto.
EX
I ft. ^
it
-8-
5* X aa sending a copy of this despatch
to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo*
Z hare the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
My Lord,
Tour Lordship's most obedient
humble servant,
*SaD) V.A.L. MAX&KT
mil. Charge dfAffaires.