JAPAN AND CHINA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 42, 29 November 1940, Page 5

JAPAN AND CHINA.

TREATY WITH PUPPET REGIME.

VIRTUAL COAIPLETE CONTROL

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 28.

The Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that informed circles said that a treaty will be signed at Nanking on Saturday between Wang Ching-wei and Japan, pledging to Tokio virtually complete permanent control of China’s military and economic affairs. The terms of the pact are expected to be totally unacceptable to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. The Domei News Agency reports that Wang, hitherto called acting-president, has been made full, president by the central political council in view of/the forthcoming signature of the treaty. It is reliably stated that the treaty is worded .to permit interpretation favourable to Japan on all importantclauses.

Firstly, the treaty consists of nine articles embodying general ChineseJapanese relations on the lines of Prince Konoye’s declaration-on December 12', 1938, in which he said that Japan was prepared to respect China’s integrity-and did not desire territory, but would-help to abolish foreign concessions and extra-territoriality.

'Secondly the treaty covers Japan’s interests during the “transitional” period and provides that Japanese troops remain in China for two years after the restoration of complete peace throughout China. It extends to the “anti-communist” region in which Japanese troops are stationed'permanently to include North China and provides that China pay reparations for all war damage to Japanese property.

- Thirdly tlie treaty provides that China control internal taxation. Factories find other properties now held by Japanese to he restored to Chinese. Finally the treaty consists of a declaration by China and Manchukuo recognising each other’s sovereignty. It is understood tliat= the treaty does not mention signing tliti anti-Comin-tern Pact, probably due to Japan’s desire to promote friendly relations with the Soviet.

The treaty also deals with economic questions on general terms, but gives Japan “all facilities in all /matters affecting her war economy 1 ’ The foreign interpretation of this is that China has become a second Manohukub free to sell to others such products as Japan does not want and free to buy from others what Japan is unable to supply.