Germany’s Attempt To Mediate In Far East

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1938, Page 5

Germany’s Attempt To Mediate In Far East

Cliiang Rejects Stiff Peace Terms Laid Down By Tokio

(Receiver 10 a.m.)

TOKIO, January 1. A MESSAGE FROM MOSCOW STATES THAT THE HANKOW CORRESPONDENT OF THE TASS NEWS AGENCY SAYS JAPAN HAS CONSENTED TO GERMANY ATTEMPTING TO MEDIATE IN THE WAR BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.

Tho German ambassador to Japan. Herr von Direksen. received peace terms from the Japanese Government for presentation to the Chinese Government. They include the following: Economic agreement, at Japan’s dictation, covering all China’s natural resources. Customs duties, foreign trade, aviation, transport and communications. China is asked to lay down her arms and to sign an Anti-Communist Pact with Japan and Manchukuo, also to recognise Japan’s annexation of Manchukuo.

Permanent Japanese garrisons are to be stationed anywhere Japan chooses and zones are to be demilitarised wherever Japan decrees.

An inner Mongolian Government is to be created, independent of the Chinese Government and an independent North Chinese Government is‘also to be established. China also would have to pay war indemnities. „

A despatch from Hankow says it is reliably stated that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek instantly rejected the Japanese peace terms.

In order to enable Chiang to dev vote his entire attention to his duties as generalissimo, he has handed over the Premiership to his brother-in-law. Dr. 11. H. King, Finance Minister.

Long Term of War Ahead?

The Japanese Prime Minister. Prince Konoye, in a New Year message to the nation says:—

“The country must prepare for a long term of battle to overcome the resistance against Japan and to free the Chinese people from the pressure they are suffering. “.Japan’s real intention is to help China to return from her disinte-

grated self to her old self, thus

affording an unshakable foundation for the progress and stability.

of the Far East

To this attitude, sympathetic encouragement is forthcoming from progressive nations, but there is strong resistance, even pressure, from a group who believe in the existing status. “Japan will need a gigantic reservoir of national power to overcome this international difficulty.” Friendship with Britain.

The Foreign Minister, Mr. Hirota, 'in his New Year message to the nation, gives pride of place to Anglo-Japanese relations. He said it is natural that Britain should be concerned about China. w T here she has extensive interests.

Japan, in view of the old friend-

ship, did not mean to disturb British interests. She hoped that Britain would make an effort to avoid misunderstandings, relying upon Japan’s intention toward peace and the checking of “Red“ penetration in the Far East. New Year messages from all the members of the Cabinet to the nation re-emphasise .the .necessity .for .the utmost sacrifices and for a prolonged Chinese campaign.