ACTION DEFENDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 12

ACTION DEFENDED.

JAPANESE IN CHINA.

"COMBATING GRAVE CRISIS. ,,

SPEAKS.

(By Telegrnph — frees Association.)

WELLINGTON*, Tuesday.

Resent incut at remarks about Japan made by Dr. Tyler Dennett, of the Carnejiie Corporation, Xew York, in an interview in Wellington yesterday, was expressed to-day by the Consul-General for Japan, Mr. K. GunjL

"Dr. Dennett is reported Us having expressed various views regarding the ambitions of Japan and her intentions in the event of war," said Mr. Gunji. "These are purely opinion*, unsupported by evidence, but as such he is entitled to voice them. Future events, however, I am wire, will severely shatter his reputation eiflier as an expert or as a prophet.

"When Dr. Dennett criticised Japan's actions in China he dealt most superficially With mi extremely complex situation, which, I consider, does not enhance his standing as an expert on Pacific affair*.

'"One is hound to wonder what would be the attitude of Dr. Dennett's own country if 80 per cent of her foreign investment* were jeopardised, gome hundreds of her nationals massacred, and her own national integrity endangered by a wave of aggressive Communism sweeping throughout a neighbouring territory, ignoring treaties and carrying out wholesale destruction of United States property. '"It eeems to me an unfortunate tendency on the part of present-day international experts to castigate Japan , for taking up arms to combat a grave ' crisis which has been forced upon her. ■ It would be more in keeping if critics, instead of declaiming against Japan!: would give due consideration to the , fundamental causes which rendered the ' China incident a matter of life or death ! to my country. j "One ie forced to the conclusion," said ! Mr. Gunji, "that the agitation which is I so persistently pursued again*t Japan by , various countries which have done their' Utmost to strangle my country commercially and economically, is nothing less" than sheer hypocrisy, actuated by jealousy. "It would be quite a mistake to assume ' that this farcical censure »• not seen in \ its true light, not only by the statesmen . ami people of Japan, but by all who care . to give careful etudy to the circumstances from which the present conflict . in tho East ha* resulted." ',