TOKIO’S ATTITUDE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 267, 9 October 1940, Page 8

TOKIO’S ATTITUDE.

CHANGES IN EAST. BASIS OF SETTLEMENT. TOKIO, Oct. 7. The Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka), addressing the gubernatorial conference! declared that “Japan has no intention of picking a quarrel with any country. “However, she must peremptorily reject all nations which attempt to disturb peace in the Far East by prolonging the Sino-Japanese conflict through assisting Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. If Chiang realises the true intentions of the Tripartite Pact in preventing the European war becoming a world conflagration, simultaneously building up a new world order, I am sure he will realise the wisdom of co-operating with Japan in the construction of a Greater East Asia solidarity sphere instead of prolonging the killing of the innocent Chinese people by playing the role ot the front-line ; lor European and American capitalism.”

Prince Konoye, addressing the conference, reiterated that the Tripartite Pact’s objectives were peaceful, but added that Japan should “perpetually lie prepared to meet the worst situation which may unfortunately arise.’’ Asked if any concrete outline of the basis for a of relations between Japan and the United States had been established at Tokio or Washington, the Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Y. Suma) replied: “There’s no room for a basis of readjustment in the current situation,' especially since the United States insists upon the solution of all the pending questions first.” . ,