NO DICTATION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 38, 15 February 1933, Page 9

NO DICTATION

JAPAN TAKES STAND

NO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

DEALINGS WITH CHINA

United Press Association—By-Electric Telegraph—Copyright. GENEVA, February 14. "Japan doos not want to withdraw from the League 'of Nations, but Japanese opinion will compel this if the League condemns her," said Mr. Matsuoka, chief Japanese delegate to the League of Nations, in the course of "an exclusive interview with the "Daily Mail" regarding ' the report of ; the League's Committee of Nineteen on the Manchurian situation.' " Japan • has shown China that- she cannot disregard treaties and boycott and attack Japan with impunity," Mr. Matsuoka continued. "Japan cannot brook foreign interference in her dealings with China, which had never'controlled Manchuria. Giving her control now would be giving her machinery she could not operate. We Japanese are a proud people. We can be influenced by friendliness; we cannot be dictated to. We would, not. attempt to dictate to a Western Power. The time has passed when Western pressure can bring/us to terms." PROPOSALS DECLINED. Tho Japanese Government's reply to the Conjmittee of Ninetoen's report has been received. It is understood Japan refuses to recognise China's sovereignty over j Manchukuo or to cease. operations in the Jehol province. Japan considers the constitution' of an autonomous State of Manchukuo is the sole guarantee of peace in that region. Japan must, therefore, decline to; adopt the proposals of the Committee of Nineteen. - , Mr. Matsuoka told Sir Eric Drummond that 180,000- Chinese troops = were massed on the Jehol frontier. The only way to prevent bloodshed was to secure the withdrawal of these:troops. The Japanese operations were purely in the nature of police ■ control. The Governor of Jehol himself asked for Japanese, intervention. Mr. Matsuoka added that Japan will not break the peace if China does not attack. - ■ ■