JAPAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 July 1924, Page 11

JAPAN.

PROTEST AGAINST EXCLUSION. MASS MEETINGS AND POSTERS. BY CAELE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received July 2, 12.5 p.m ' TOKIO, July 1. A campaign of protest began to-day against America’s attitude towards •Japan. - Initiajl mass meetings and pilgrimages to ‘ national shrines were held throughout the country, while everywhere floods of posters and handbills urged the people to maintain an unflinching attitude towards America’s alleged 'injustice. During the day ah unidentified Japanese entered * the American Embassy compound, climbed a flagpole, cut down the flag and escaped the police arrived. The incident'was officially reported bv the American Charge d’Affaires and" the police are inquiring.—Reuter. In connection with the anti-American campaign, Americans have been warned not to show themselves in the streets too prominently, lest excited individuals should assault them. The handbills. while urging an unflinching attitude towards America, counsel against and deeds of violence

Both Houses of the Diet unanimously adopted resolutions regretting that America had adopted the exclusion clause, declaring that such, action impaired the seventy years of friendship. The resolution added: “Hoping the Imperial Government take such steps at an early stage as are necessitated by the nature of the case.” —Sydney Sun Cables. TOKIO, July 1. The Premier, in opening the. Diet, expressed regret at America’s exclusion action, for which a reasonable solution would be sought. He promised the speedy enactment of universal suffrage, electoral reform, Upper House reform and financial retrenchment. . The Minister for Foreign. Affairs, referring to America, said Japan could by no means concede that the question was closed, and until the Japanese just contention had been satisfied she would maintain her protests and would use her best endeavours to secure an amicable adjustment of the question and ensure forever the traditional friendship of the two nations. He defended at length Japan’s action regarding Russia, and announced that they intended to continue the negotiations now in progress with a view to- reaching the satisfactory understanding which must precede the re-establish-ment of diplomatic relations. In reference to China, he said that Japan intended to promote a. Chino-Japanese economic rapprochement. The guiding principle of Japan’s foreign policy would be. to safeguard and promote her legitimate rights and interests with duerespect to other nations and treaty engagements.—Reuter.