RARE APPLAUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 89, 25 January 1938, Page 5

RARE APPLAUSE

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS. JAPANESE RIGHT OF COMMENT. PEERS APPROVE SUGGESTION. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) TOKIO, January 24. The House of Peers, whose members are described as well-behaved and seldom cheer, applauded when Baron Kozada, referring to Admiral Suetsugu’s interview with “Kaizo,” suggested that only the Premier and the Foreign Minister should comment on diplomatic affairs. The Premier (Prince Konoye) gave a pledge that a more cautious attitude would be adopted in future. Admiral Suetsugu regretted that the interview had been misunderstood owing to mistranslation. He said that China would be reduced to ashes if she maintains her resistance, which would be a misfortune for the outside world, especially England. Japan therefore held the opinion that it was impossible for wise Britain to assist China thereby adding to her misfortunes.

A Paris cablegram dated January 4 stated:

“The white yoke in Asia must go,” is among the sensational statements attributed to .Admiral Suetsugu (Japanese Minister for the Interior), quoted in the Paris press from the influential political review, “Kaizo,” published in Tokio. Suetsugu is allege to have said also the whites must vanish and British aid to China must be stopped even at the cost of war. “I refuse to believe that the Americans will fight us if we attack Britain,” said the Admiral. “Rapid realisation of liberation will naturally bring a general conflagration; but whatever precautions we take the result will be the same, namely, a general conflagration. Thus Fate wills it.”

On January 5 it was reported from Tokio as follows:

It is semi-officially declared that the interview granted by the Minister of the Interior' (Admiral Suetsugu) to the political review “Kaizo” was “grossly misquoted and mistranslated” in the version published in the Paris papers. The Domei News Agency has issued ail English translation of the interview, stating that Japan is aiming at ultimate Chinese-Japanese co-opera-tion and peace in China. Whether or not this means the exclusion of whites is an important question which should mark the turning-point in world history.

“I believe lasting peace cannot be realised unless coloured peoples are delivered from the white shackles under which they are living a miserable life,” said the Admiral, who added: “If China depends solely on alleged British assistance in continuing the hostilities it would be inevitable that Japan stop the fountain-head of the resistance, even at the risk of a clash with Britain, but I am inclined to believe Britain wifi readily listen to reason.” *