POLICY DEFENDED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 45, 21 January 1939, Page 9

POLICY DEFENDED

JAPANESE IN EAST.

CONDUCIVE TO PROGRESS

NO THREAT TO INTERESTS. (United Press Association—By Electric T e I cgrapli.—Copy right.) Received January 21, 11.30 a.m. TOKIO, Jan. 20. The Foreign Minister (Mr H. Arita), in a speech, at the reopening of the Diet, to-day, said that Japan’s schemes for China did not. threaten China’s or foreign Powers’ independence or interests. He pointed out that, as a result of Japa n’s actions'in Mancliukuo, 30,000,000 people lived and worked in security. British and American trade had improved.

Referring to Japan's plan for the creation of a new order in East Asia, in which China, Japan, and Maucliukuo would preserve their independence and individuality, and unite for active collaboration and mutual aid, Air Arita declared that Japan was convinced that such a now order was not only necessary for the existence of healthy development in China, Japan, and Manchukuo, but was conducive to real peace and well-being throughout the world.

Tho Minister reiterated: Japan asks neither for territory nor indemnity from China. She will respect China’s sovereignty and is prepared to consider the abolition of extra-territorial-ity and the foreign concessions.