Late News JAPANESE POLICY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 129, 25 February 1941, Page 8

Late News JAPANESE POLICY

Statement On Message To Britain REPLY TO A “PROPOSAL” (Received February 25, 12.20 a.m.i TOKIO, February 2-1. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Oliashi, substituting for Mr. Matsuoka, told the Deficit Bonds Committee of the Lower House that the discussion on war mediation was a side issue, resulting from Mr. Matsuoka's reply to Mr. Eden in which Mr. Matsuoka said that tmy crisis in the Far East was not of Japan’s making since she was interested ill the restoration of peace. Mr. Ohaslti said that Mr. Eden made "a proposal” regarding reports that Japan would move Southward, which Mr. Matsuoka denied, adding that the objective of the Tripartite Fact was to prevent, “a further spread of the war.” Mr. Ohashi said: “Mr. Matsuoka told Mr. Eden that Japan desires, if possible, to contribute toward ending hostilities throughout the world, pointing out that her mediation in the dispute between Indo-Chiita and Thailand was tin expression of such a desire. Mr. Matsuoka did not make a mediation offer in the European war.”

The Vice-Minister said Japan was doing her utmost to end the Sino-Jap-anese hostilities as soon as possible, lie declined to comment on Japan’s plans for mediation in the event of a request being received, and he said that Mr. Matsuoka’s message to Mr. Eden would be published “at a proper opportunity."