NOT CLOSING DOORS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 46, 23 January 1939, Page 7

NOT CLOSING DOORS.

JAPANESE POLICY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. ‘22. The Consul-General for Japan (Mr K. Gunji) has received the following message amplifying the report of the speech made by Mr Arita (Japanese Foreign Minister) at the reopening of the Diet:

“Japan’s foreign policy has always been to promote the interests and welfare of East Asia through the cooperation and collaboration of the peoples of that region and to contribute to the general prosperity of mankind by the establishment of the Empire of Manchukuo. Critics have attacked this programme 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.” Mr Arita said the results achieved in Manchukuo would not have been possible hut for Japanese devotion to her mission of enlightened progress and her unselfish co-operation and contribution towards the healthy progress of Manchukuo. The Japanese Government had recently issued a statement declaring its intention ol working together with far-sighted Chinese for a common purpose—-the constructing of a new East Asiatic order and for the realisation and mutual practice of neighbourly amity, economic co-operation and joint defence against Communism. But certain quarters abroad had ascribed to Japan the intention to close the doors ol China.

“It will, of course, he necessary to enforce certain restrictions and regulations in spheres having a vital bearing upon the national defence and economic independence of these three countries,” the message proceeds, “but these measures will he confined to minimum requirements for no othei purpose than that of enabling East Asia to function well as a link in the chain of world economy.” Mr Arita claimed that in regions ot China occupied by the Japanese a sentiment was growing . rapidly against the Comintern and in favour oF friendship with Japan. It was hoped that a new central Government might speedily be organised in China and co-operate with Japan for the settlement of the present conflict. Mr Arita strongly attacked the Communist clement, which he suggested had been responsible for much or the bloodshed in China. The Japancsc-German-Ttalian Agreement against the Communist International was a guarantee of world peace.