BID BY JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 120, 20 April 1934, Page 7

BID BY JAPAN

FAR EAST OVERLORDSHIP. SIGNIFICANCE OF STATEMENT. DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES CONCERNED. ' (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 20, 8.45 a.m. PEKIN, April 19. Diplomatic circles here are carefully studying the significance of the statement issued at Tokio intimating that Japan opposes international assistance to China. This is regarded by many observers here as a frank bid for the overlordship of the entire Far East. In a message from Tokio yesterday it was stated that the foreign spokesman had announced tlie Government’s attitude toward other Powers’ activities in China. “We don’t want peace in the Far East disturbed by foreign Powers, but naturally, in maintaining this policy, we shall not act in conflict with our existing treaty obligations,” he said. “This is not a temporary idea, but the established policy which we think necessary to clarify the position in view of our Consul’s advices of numerous reports circulating in China in regard to schemes to furnish munitions, money and what not to China calculated to disturb the peace of China and the Ear East, of which don’t know which is propaganda and which is actuality. We shall decide what constitutes such disturbance _ and act accordingly as we are in a position to do.” “HANDS OFF CHINA.” REGARDED AS CHALLENGE. FOREIGN POWERS’ REACTIONS. (Times Cables.) Received April 20, 10.30 a.m. PEKIN, April 19. Foreign diplomatic _ reactions to Tokio’s “hands off China” pronouncement indicate that it is regarded here as offering a direct challenge to the rest of the Powers. Foreign military experts believe that Japan is concerned over the possibility that, by acquiring aeroplanes from abroad, China might put herself in a position to create trouble in Manchuria in the event of a Russian-Japan-ese war. AWAITING INFORMATION. BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 20, 11.20 a.m. RUGBY, April 19. Asked if he could make a statement as to the verbal declaration made at the Japanese Foreign Office on the relations of foreign countries with China, Sir John Simon (Foreign Secretary) said: “All I can say at present is that the statement appears to have been made orally by a/press officer of the Japanese Foreign Office. There are somewhat discrepant versions of what was said, and I have nothing to show whether it was an authoritative declaration. I must await information before I can say anything further.” STRIVING FOR PEACE. ENGLISH JUDGE’S OPINION. Received April 20, 8.45 a.m. COLOMBO, April 19. Sir Sydney Nettleton, who is returning from the Far East, when interviewed, said that lie personally was satisfied that Japan was striving, like the British Empire, for peace. They were not foolish enough to embark on a war, although they were well prepared for Russia and other emergencies. Sir Sydney Nettleton has been Chief Justice of Gibraltar since 1927. He lias been Chief Justice of Uganda, Sierra Leone, the Bahamas, and Cyprus. WESTERN WORLD’S VIEW. NEW MONRO DOCTRINE. LONDON, April 18. “The Japanese outburst warning foreign Powers regarding loans to China is a serious illustration of Japan’s attitude in the Far East,” says the News Chronicle. “The Western world is not prepared to accept from Japan a new Monro Doctrine in the Far East.” LABOUR IN JAPAN. OBJECTS OF FEDERATION. Received April 20, 10.30 a.m. TOKIO, April 19. The Japanese Federation of Labour has instructed Mr Tadao Kikugawa, its delegate to the Labour Conference, to advocate for the adoption in Japan of a minimum wage, payable weekly, for an eight hour day and a six-day week.

The Federation declares that worldwide spread of Japanese products is due to the low yen, the low wages, long hours, the employees’ hard working spirit, advanced technique, and the Government’s export subsidies.