793.94 Commission/729
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation61
Simon’s speech receives unanimous denunciation by the Chinese press. The Central Daily News, Nanking, refuted the speech point by point, concluding that Simon’s statements accord neither with facts nor with law. The Simon declaration is most surprising in view of the very friendly relations existing between Great Britain and China since the Washington Conference. It is very deplorable that the good relations between China and Great Britain should thus suffer an unnecessary setback at the erroneous views expressed by Simon. One trusts, however, that the British people, always mindful of their commercial and other interests, will not fail to know how to make amends.
[Page 412]The Nanking Chiu Kuo Jih Pao declares that Simon’s speech has at last exposed the real attitude of the British statesman towards the Manchurian question. Not only has he dealt China’s case a severe blow but has also virtually declared bankruptcy of the League of Nations. “Can it be that she [he?] has failed to perceive the catastrophic possibilities in the aggressive expansionist policy of Japan? In case Japan should now be allowed to successfully occupy the Three Eastern Provinces, it can safely be foretold that within ten years she would be strong enough to defeat the United States and England who would no longer be able to rival her in the Far East. In twenty years we might even see the ‘flag of the rising sun’ flying over India and Australia while the Pacific would be just another ‘Japan Sea.’ Under the circumstances it is obvious that China will not be the only nation to suffer.”
The Shanghai Shun Pao declares: “With England’s declaration in support of the League still resonant in our ears and with friendly relations existing between her and China at heart, we are convinced it is imperative for England to maintain a strict impartiality in the cause of justice. Such an attitude is not only beneficial to our friendly relations but absolutely essential to the prestige of the League. We cannot help contrasting Simon’s speech with those of Lord Cecil and accordingly hope the British Government will do more [to] help in the cause of world peace.”
The Tientsin Ta Kung Pao declares that Simon’s pro-Japanese views are most disappointing in view of the very friendly relations existing between China and Great Britain in recent years. The paper recalls the May 30th affair62 in which British policemen, helping the Japanese, aroused a nation-wide indignation in China, as also Chamberlain’s declarations.63 Can it be that the British Government has been hoodwinked by false Japanese propaganda or is it possible that the British Government has been under the influence of Japanese threats so that it does not dare to uphold Justice? The paper points out that while China does not expect any charitable assistance either from the League or from any of its members, she does demand that justice be respected and done. “We have nothing to say if the British people do not value the extensive Chinese markets. But if they are really mindful of their commercial interests here, we would like to advise our British friends that the common wishes of four hundred million Chinese must always be considered in any matter concerning China.” All other papers made similar comments.