JAPAN'S CONSUL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 51, 1 March 1941, Page 10

JAPAN'S CONSUL

BUSY IN SYDNEY

EXPLAINING POLICY

PUZZLE OF OCEANIA

(By Trans-Tasman Aip Mail—From "Tha Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, February 27. ] The Japanese Consul-General in Australia, Mr. Akiyama, has been a busy man lately explaining to Pressmen the meaning of statements on the Pacific position made by Japan's Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka. There is an admirable earnestness in ! his protestations of Japan's desire i for friendliness and peace.

He was set a problem, however, when Mr. Matsuoka called on the "white races to cede Oceania to the Asiatics." He admitted he was puzzled, and said he had received no official information. "Mr. Matsuoka is a Foreign Minister, not a geographer," said Mr. Akiyama. He thought that the Foreign Minister probably meant the "Oceania" known to Australians —the thousands of islands and atolls in the Pacific. "Some of these islands are already included in the Japanese 'Greater East Asia' policy," he said. "But people are mistaken in imagining that Japan desires to take these places by force. Japan is seeking war with no nation. All we desire is a common sphere of equal opportunity for everybody. In any ease, what.is Australia worrying about? Japan has no warlike designs abcut this country." JAPAN AND FRANCE. Mr. Akiyama was asked if Japan had any demands against - French IndoChina. "French Indo-China does not interest Australia," he replied. "It concerns only Japan arid France. What happens in . Thailand concerns Japan and Thailand, and what happens in the Dutch East Indies concerns only the Dutch; arid Japan; Japan's policy towards MSlaya is a matter between Japan and England. Australia, I suppose, has a legitimate right, as a part of the British Empire, to send troops to Malaya or, for that matter, to any part of' the British Empire when, it is at war. But it would be. ridiculous for Australia to send troops to Malaya if the only reason was that she feared Japan. Tokio newspapers have also become-far too hj'sterical about these Australian troops landing in Malaya. I think there has been a lot of undue alarm on. both sides about nothing."

If Mr. Akiyama has any ideas about the outcome of the war in Europe he intends to keep 111 em strictly to himself. "On. that subject," he said, "I'd express an opinion only if I were God." FEAR'AND FRIENDSHIP. In a later statement, Mr. Akiyama repeated that Japan wanted-the closest and most cordial relations with Australia. He.said that fear need not replace friendship in the relations of the two countries. Japan had no quarrel with Australia.

It was :so easy for a gulf to be built rounds misunderstandings. It had been reported, for example, that France had rejected Japanese mediation in the Thailand-Indo-China conflict, arid that Japan had. demanded naval and air. bases in those countries. He had had messages from Tdkio which categorically refuted those allegations.

The armistice negotiations between Thailand and Indo-China, with Japan as mediator, were proceeding most satisfactorily, and were expected to end in peace terms acceptable, to both parties. ' Strict neutrality was enjoined upon all Japanese . residents in Australia, said Mr. Akiyama, and they would view with displeasure any suggestion of infringement of , their. neutrality, such as one that Japanese ships trading to. Australia were being used for conveying to Germany information about Australian shipping movements.