POLICY OF JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 18, 23 January 1939, Page 10

POLICY OF JAPAN

WORLD PEACE THE AM

FULL TEXT OF ARITA'S SPEECH >

COMMUNIST EVIL

The following is the full text of the speech of the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. H. Arita, as received by cable by the Consul General for Japan at Wellington, Mr. K. Gunji:—

At a time when Japan's international relations are becoming increasingly complex owing to the China affair, I am glad to have this opportunity of speaking on our foreign policy and our foreign problems in general. It is scarcely necessary to reiterate that Japan's foreign policy is based upon the fundamental principles of our national policy, and is designed principally for the fulfilment of Japan's moral responsibilities. It has, as always, been so conducted as to promote the interests and welfare of. East Asia through the co-operation and collaboration of the peoples of that region and to contribute to the general prosperity of mankind. For the. establishment of the empire of Manchukuo, the Japanese Government, having in view the neighbourly and inseparable relationship existing • between Japan and that country, has made it a national policy to co-operate towards her healthy development as an independent State. But critics have not been few, as you know, who attacked this programme for collaboration between the two countries as a disguised form of territorial aggrandisement on the part of Japan, or as a measure calculated to destroy or drive out the rights and interests of third Powers. Now, what are, the actual results that have been achieved during the past six years since the foundation of the new State? Laws and systems of government have been set up in due succession, and the work of developing natural resources is progressing apace, so that thirty million people of the land are living happily and secure of their livelihood. Thus the national foundations have been consolidated, more firmly than ever, and seven Powers have already extended their recognition to the empire. The establishment of peace and order and the expansion of industries notably has benefited all other countries concerned, including Great Britain and the United States, whose trade with Manchukuo is showing marked increases in volume as compared with the years prior to the Manchurian ■ incident. Such results would not have been possible but for Japan's devotion to her mission of enlightened progress, and her unselfish co-operation and contribution towards the healthy progress of Manchukuo. CREATION OF NEW ORDER. As regards the present China affair, the basic policy, and resolute aim of the Japanese Government has been set forth in its statement on November 3 of last year. What Japan desires is the creation of a new.order which is to secure permanent peace' in East Asia, that is to say, the construction of a .new East Asia upon an ethical foundation in which Japan, Manchukuo, and China, while each fully preserving her independence and individuality, will stand united and linked together for active collaboration and mutual aid along all lines of political, economic, and cultural activities. It is the firm conviction of the Japanese Government that such a new order is not only absolutely necessary for the existence and healthy development of Japan, Manchukuo, and China, but also conducive to the real peace and well-being of the whole world.

Under date December 22 the Japanese Government issued another statement declaring its intention of joining hands with far-sighted Chinese, animated by similar ideals and aspirations, and to work together for the co_mmon purpose of constructing a New East Asian order and for the realisation and mutual practice of neighbourly amity, economic co-operation, and joint defence against Communism. It was announced that what Japan asks China is neither territory nor indemnity for the cost of the military operations, and

further that not only will Japan respect the sovereignty of China but she is even prepared to give practical consideration to the questions of the abolition of extra-territoriality and rendition of foreign concessions and I settlements, matters which are obviously required for China's complete independence. In all these declarations are enunciated the ethically conceived national policy of Japan. RESTRAINTS ON TRADE. Despite repeated explanations given by the Japanese Government, there persist unfortunately misunderstandings in certain quarters abroad, ascribing, to Japan the intention to close the doors of China. If we are to embark on the creation of a new order in East Asia through mutual assistance and solidarity between Japan. Manchukuo, and China, it will of course be necessary to enforce certain restrictions and regulations in spheres having a vital bearing upon the national defence and economic independence of these three countries. But these measures will bs confined to minimum requirements, being directed toward no other purpose than that of enabling E-.st Asia to function well as a link in the chain of world economy and contribute to the general prosperity of mankind. Consequently there will be left open vast fields in which not only will the rights and interests of other countries and the commercial and other peaceful enterprises of their nationals remain absolutely unaffected, but in which foreign participation will

be really welcome, so that it is confidently expected that the economic activities of other Powers will be more than ever stimulated under the new order. SEEKING MANKIND'S WELFARE. The Japanese Government, believing that the removal of trade barriers of various kinds and the promotion of economic co-operation among the nations to be the best means of advancing the happiness and prosperity of mankind, have always striven towards the realisation of those ends. Their future policy in this regard will sustain, no change. In fact, it is in accordance with this very policy that the Japanese Government plan to limit to the necessary minimum all restrictions on the economic activities of other powers under the proposed system for Japan* Manchukuo, and China. It is hoped and expected that the Powers concerned will understand the true intentions of Japan. and extend their active co-operation in the task of constructing a new order in East Asia. It is regrettable that; the China affair has given rise to circumstances prejudicial to the individual rights and interests of the nationals of other Powers, in China, or the placing of restrictions on their residence and travel. That these circumstances have been' unavoidable owing to military necessities is, I believe, appreciated by all. On the other hand, the Japanese Government are paying careful attention to the matter and . have followed the policy of expediting the settlement of pending cases as far as is permitted by the circumstances, and as soon as the necessary investigations are completed. Already not a few cases have thus been satisfactorily settled. As regards" the reported conveyance of arms through French Indo-China and other territories, the Japanese have from time to time called the attention of the Government concerned to the matter; and, when necessary, the proper steps will be taken. NEW STAGE IN CHINA STRUGGLE. The China affair has now entered a new stage as the result of the fall of Canton and Hankow. While we will not relax our efforts for the, overthrow of the anti-Japanese regime, we are obliged at the same time to address ourselves earnestly to the work of construction. Although the Chiang Kaishek regime is still professing its policy of a so-called "long-term war," it has already fled into a remote province, and has become a purely local regime, while in the regions in the occupation of our forces sentiment is growing rapidly against the Comintern and in favour of friendship with Japan. The provisional Government and reformed Government at Peking and Nanking respectively and the autonomous Government in Mongolia are all making healthy progress and steadily winning popular support and confidence. Moreover, in the fall of last year a joint commission was formed by the provisional and reformed Governments; and movements are coming to a head in Hankow and Canton for the establishment of other local Governments. It is hoped that a new central Government may be speedily organised and will co-operate with us for the settlement of the present conflict. COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES. As for the recent flight from Chungking of certain leaders of the so-called [peace faction in the Chiang Kai-shek [regime, the Government are watching

carefully for the consequent development in order to cope with the destructive activities of Communists. There was concluded some time ago a Japan-ese-German agreement for safeguarding against the Communist International, to which agreement Italy subsequently became a signatory. The manoeuvres of the Comintern are both insidious and elusive, but in Europe and Asia, wherever there is any disturbance of peace and order, there is invariably to be discovered the hand of the Comintern behind the-, scenes. The civil war in Spain, now almost three years old, affords the most outstanding example of the activities of the Comintern, whose favourite procedure is to utilise a local affair as a fuse to set off a general conflagration in order to Bolshevise the world. Indeed, the Comintern is the arch-enemy of peace and order. In East Asia, too, Communists were active before the commencement of the present China affair, instigating the Kuomintang Government and causing Chiang Kai-shek to pursue an anti-Jap-anese policy. Since the outbreak of hostilities they have rapidly extended their way into the inner councils of the Kuomintang Government, so as to command positions of leadership in both military and political affairs. THE ANTI-COMINTERN GROUPING. The so-called long-term war, as well as guerrilla tactics, have originated in the recommendations of the Communist Party. They constitute a conspiracy which by sacrificing the masses of China, aims at the postponement, for as long as possible, of a settlement of the present conflict, and by that means at the Bolshevisation of China and the entire world. Fortunately, however, the Japanese-German-Italian agreement against the Communist International ha. proved efficacious in checking to some extent, in Asia as well as in Europe, the destructive operations of the Comintern. In the light of experience we cannot but believe that the more this agreement is exr panded and strengthened, the more potent will be the guarantee of world peace. The recent announcement by Manchukuo and Hungary of their intention to participate in the agreement is gratifying as an extension of the anti-Comintern front. DIFFERENCES WITH SOVIET UNION. Our relations with the Soviet Union became extremely strained at the time of the Changkufeng affair which, however, was settled through appropriate action on our part before it assumed serious proportions. In North Saghalien, illegal interference with our concession rights pertaining to oil and coal have not ceased as yet, rendering the exercise of those rights more and more difficult. As regards the fishery question, although we continued to exert our utmost efforts for the conclusion of a treaty, the draft of which has long been mutually j agreed upon, negotiations have failed, owing to questions which have been injected into the discussions by the Soviet Government, and which have no reference to the fishery treaty. In December last the Government entered into negotiations for the renewal of a ,modus vivendi, which was to expire at the end of the year. But even on this case the Soviet Government put forward and insisted upon many unreasonable conditions, so that no agreement could be reached before the end of the year. It was therefore decided to carry over the negotiations to this year, after requesting the Soviet Government to take no measures that might affect the status quo of the fishery situation. While it is expected..that ultimately a satisfactory agreement will be arrived at, Japan is, of course, prepared to take appropriate steps when it comes to a question of protecting her legitimate vested rights and interests,. THE FOUNDATIONS OF PEACE. We believe that enduring world peace can be established only on a moral foundation of the friendship and harmony of mankind, and in conformity with the principles of justice and equity. . The causes of the present international anxiety and unrest are certainly many and complex, but there is no doubt that the principal causes lie essentially in efforts to maintain the status quo. which is actually not in accordance with justice, andin attempts made from selfish motives to stifle the development and progress of newlyrisen Powers.

And last, the establishment of a new East Asian order proposed by Japan, being based on sound ethical principles and in conformity with international jutice will, I am convinced, serve to promote friendship between the countries of East Asia and other Powers by putting their relations on a truly sound footing, and it will thus serve to bring real peace to the world. Since there are some who entertain misapprehensions and doubts in this regard, it is incumbent upon us all firmly to resolve to w.alk fearlessly, along the path of righteousness in the execution of our national policy.