SOFT WORDS IN TOKIO

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 7

SOFT WORDS IN TOKIO

Japanese Claim Surprise At Reports Of Tension MEDIATION PROPOSALS MADE <P.,v Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright i t Received February 18. 10.20 p.m.) TOKIU. February 18. The .spokesman of the Cabinet Information Bureau. Mr. Ishii, said: "Japan is prepared to mediate anywhere throughout the world in order to help restore normal conditions. He added that these mediation proposals were prompted by the "alarming reports iron) various sections of the world regarding possibilities in the neat futttie. ‘‘Various alarming reports have reached Japan purporting to give ait impression that the situation in Fast Asia has become radically tense," he said. "We tire surprised to learn that some foreign countries have felt undue anxiety regarding the alleged tension in East Asia, anil we want to emphasize that as far as wc can see there is no ground for entertaining alarming views.

“We want to repeat that the purpose ut the I hree-Power Paet is peaceful. We cannot help feeling, therefore, a certain amount ot anxiety, if not misgivings, over the.warlike preparations by the British and American Governments to meet supposed contingencies in the Pacific and South Seas."

'Tress reports about the.-e move- , meats by Britain and America original- I lug from British and American source.- : and elsewhere are causing increasing I misgivings and are resulting in the contention, advanced in some uuarters in Japan, that Japan should lose mi lime In taking I lie necessary steps to meet tlie worst eventuality in these regions." Mr. Ishii said. ‘’if the American Government could only lie persuaded to restrict its activities in the western hemisphere and ■ avoid causing unnecessary anxiety lit tile minds «>f tlie Japanese people, the situation would indeed be greatly mitigated. "We are utterly unable to sec that anv good purpose can be served by . prolonging the war, whatever the nm- i live may be. The present situation j demands statesmanship of a high or- I tier. Snell stlllosiminship. we trust. ! will not be wanting in the British Empire or elsewhere. "We want to make it clear that i Japan is fully prepared to act as modi- • ator or take whatever action is cal- , ciliated to recover normal conditions not only in greater East Asin but tutjwliere in the world. The leading Powers have a great responsibility, in , restoring world peace and civilization i and such responsibility can only be fulfilled by wise and generous statesmanship willing to listen to Hie claims and contentions of others.” The ‘‘Niehl Nichi Shimbuu." assert- i ing that Britain and the United States i were nee’dlessly scared over the sell- i created Far Eastern "bogey." said that . Japan’s true intentions are to help m ' the construction of a new world order . in the interests of the firm establish- j meat of world peace, for which reason i "Japan desires that the various world Powers concerned will meet at a conference table to deliberate and iron out the outstanding issues with reason, cool Judgment, an'd wisdom.” However, tlie paper said. British and American warlike preparations and other manoeuvres would not affect Japan s policies revolving on the Tripartite Pact and. tlie new order in East Asia.

tiiude was not at first auspicious and because misleading reports led t« increased tension in the East Indies." Tlie Foreign Minister. Mr. Matsuoka. said that Japan firmly believed in racial quality, even more so than she li.-td done ar the Treaty of Versailles. His reference to the Netherlands East Indies included an admission that they refused to join an Asiatic bloc under Japan's leadership. Mr. Matsuoka’s contnient was that Japan did not claim leadership of all the peoples within this sphere, bur he added that he believed she possessed the capabilities for such leadership. The question of Jillian’s relations with iinssi.-i was raised in the Diet when one member urged Mr. Matsuoka to make a demarche to the Soviet. Government about tlie activities of tlie Comintern. In reply, Mr. Matsuoka pointed out Hi.it rhe Comintern was not identical with the Soviet Government, but ho promised to take steps if the Comintern caused trouble. The new Japanese Ambassador to Germany, General Osliima, arrived in Berlin yesterday to take tip his duties. According to tlie official German news ageney the Ambassador’s staff was so large that rhe Soviet railway had to put a special coach at his disposal when ho travelled through Soviet Itussin.

The "Asahi Shimbuu” gives pro.mtnence to a Tientsin dispatch that the American garrisons in North China have decided to withdraw, in which connexion tlie first contingents, inclmling 31. marines from Tientsin, and 27 marines from Peking, entrained yesterday for Chinwangtao, where they tire to board tin American steamer for Manila. On account of last year’s complete withdrawal by the British garrisons, tlie resident British and Americans are extremely shocked, the newspaper says. Pressure Resented. The Domei news agency yesterday reported the Vice-Foreign Minister. Mr. Ohayshi, as replying to questions by Hie House of Representatives Accounts Committee as follows:— "Though our rights and interests in tlie South Seas are vital questions we hope to settle them without resorting to force. "Widespread reports that Japan is planning imminent action in tlie South Seas,” apparently produced the Washington conference held by the I nited States Secretary of State with envoys from Britain, Australia, and the Netherlands. Mr. Ohayshi continued. “These nations." lie said, "seem Io lie intent upon suppressing Japan." “However," lie added. “it any nation increases pressure against Japan because of these misreports Japan wiil be obliged to fnce Hie issue, which might cause serious consequences." According to the Domei agency Mr. Ohayslii’s reference to increasing pressure was interpreted to mean the reported concentration of British troops near the Thai border. Simultaneously Mr, Ohayshi delivered what observers said may have been a hint against increased American naval forces at Manila by saying. “Japan is interested in the Philippines as a friendly neighbour and therefore desires that tlie islands will nor endanger Japan in the ftitnre." Mr. Ohayshi said that tlie economic conference between Japan and 6 tlie Netherlands East Indies would reopen soon at Batavia as a result of eottversatious between himself and the NetherlaniTs Minister. General Pabst. The conversations had been suspended for some time beetrise "tlie Dutch at-