JAPAN MEDIATES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 113, 22 February 1941, Page 3

JAPAN MEDIATES

“NO SPECIFIC PROPOSAL.” TOKIO EXPLAINS ATTITUDE. {United Prfesa Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 21. The statement in Tokio by Mr Ishii, spokesman for the Japanese Bureau of. Information, that Japan was prepared to act as mediator not only in Greater East Asia, but anywhere in the world, was cleared up by the spokesman in a further statement to-day. fife explained that Japan had made no specific to mediate' to any country. He revealed that the message to the British Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) from the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) had arisen out of an interview between Mr Eden and Mr iShigemitsu (Japanese Ambassador in Uoriddn), at which Mr Eden gave Britain’s views on the Japanese mediation in the Indo-Chiha - Thailand dispute. The spokesman said Mr Matsuoka had replied that Japan was an honest mediator between Indo-China and Trailand. Japan had, a general desire for peace, which was very different from a specific offer to mediate. According to the Domei News Akeney, Mr Matsuoka, in an interview with the Japanese press late last night, explained that “as Foreign Minister to the Japanese Government he had never offered mediation to any nation in the world for the restoration of World peace.” The newspaper “Asahi” said that Mr Matsuoka, while informing Britain of .Japan's willingness to mediate in any conflict, had emphasised that if Britain adjusted her military preparedness/and engaged in various operations on the supposition that an urgent situation was inevitable in the Pacific and thC South Seas, Japan would noturally be compelled to take counter-measures, for which reason “he desired a prudent attitude on Britain’s part.” The special message now received from the Japanes Foreign Minister is being most carefully considered at the Foreign Office, and a reply will in due course be dispatched. It is assumed that the terms of this communication will also be sent to the United States, where the announcement of Britain’s Singapore reinforcements has been welcomed, and where they are regarded as *the counterpart of precautionary measures taken in United States possessions in the Western Pacific. It is understood that in the Japanese message to Britain there are incidental references to Japan’s readiness to act as mediator, not only in Greater East Asia, but anyw.here in the World. The possibility is raised in the press that Germany may have insisted on this gesture, and an offer of Japanese mediation in the war with Germany may be contemplated. The answer to any such offer has already been given by Mr Churchill. With the approval of the entire British Empire he made it clear that peace was out of the question until the enemy, was completely overthrown. “The Times” says: “Little doubt is felt that Japan is being more or less the willing tool of Nazi aggression, though she will naturally do her best to find some way of supporting the Axis against Britain which American opinion would consider to be outside the sphere of vital American interests. This is a situation calling clearly for the closest co-operation between the British Governments most directly concerned, and their recognition of it has been clearly shown.’’ The “Daily Telegraph,” commenting on the mediation gesture, says: “It is only to be wished that Japafi would show the way by restoring the peace she has been disturbing for the last five years.” The recent strengthening of British bomber forces in Malaya, followed by the arrival at Singapore of some thousands of Australian troops all equipped and entirely by Australian factories, will, it is believed here, havei a steadying effect on the situation in the Far East. “The-Times” says: “We should now feel safe against any unpleasant surprises.” A Foreign Office spokesman’s statement in Tokio. attributed misgivings in the Far East to “the warlike preparations of Britain and the United States to meet supposed contingencies in the IP'acific.” In view of the events of the last few months, this attitude causes surprise in London, where is is recalled that Japan’s open declaration of determination to make a drive southwards has followed close upon her action in allying herself with Britain’s enemy through signature of the Tripartite Pact. The Tokio newspaper “Asahi,” asserting that Mr Matsuoka’s message to Mr Eden has clarified Japan’s peaceful intentions, says that Mr Matsuoka is expected to seize an opportunity shortly in the Diet session in order to relate the circumstances under which he dispatched his Note to Mr Eden, and also to acquaint the Japanese people “with Japan’s readiness and purpose to act.”