JAP APOLOGY MISSIONS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 7

JAP APOLOGY MISSIONS

Value Not Apparent

KONOYE “FILLED WITH REGRET”

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received September 24, 8.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 23.

The “Herald Tribune’s” Tokio correspondent says that the Vice-Premier, Prince Konoye, has suggested that Japan send an "apology mission" to President Chiang Kai-shek. It is rumoured that if the mission is successful, permission may be sought to send similar groups to Washington and London.

Just what purpose such missions would serve, beyond enabling the Japanese to recover some of their lost face, is not apparent. However, the Japanese may be attempting to stave off excessive reparations for the destruction wrought on China’s cities and economy.

Konoye claimed that® he tried three times to arrange peace with China. Quoting Chiang's broadcast on August 15, in which he stated that China bore no animosity to Japan, Konoye said that Japan would like to ask China to forget her animosity since the Manchurian incident, and wants to establish intimate co-operation for the sake of world peace. Konoye claimed that he attempted to straighten out the difference with the Chinese Ambassador from 1932 to 1935,

but the Manchurian incident developed and the military kept the Japanese Cabinet in the dark. “I am filled with a sense of regret and repentance toward China. I hold myself responsible to the people of China and Japan for the turn of events so contrary to my convictions."