Pact With Axis Keystone Of Japanese Foreign Policy

Northern Advocate, 10 December 1940, Page 6

Pact With Axis Keystone Of Japanese Foreign Policy

—Matsuoka

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, December 9. THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER (MR. YOSTJKE MATSUOKA), IN HIS FIRST GENERAL INTERVIEW WITH FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS, SAID THE JAPAN-AXIS PACT REPRESENTS THE KEYSTONE OF JAPANESE FOREIGN POLICY.

However, war against America, originating from the pact, could come only in the event of America being adjudged the aggressor in a conflict with Germany.

“If! Germany attacks America, ” Mr. Matsu oka said, “the Tripartite Pact will not be invoked. If the United States attacks Germany, we will have to join the war.

Italy, Germany, Japan Will Decide. 1 “The three powers involved must decide. They will first judge independently, and then the three will get together and exchange views to determine whether this supposed American entry comes under the Treaty’s article 3.

If all agree, naturally Japan will be obliged to participate. “I hope such a case will not arise. That wish is the very object of the Pact.

“We are opposed to conquests, oppression, and exploitation, whether by Japan- or anybody else. “Some of our people advocate those very things, and unfortunately those ideas of greed and conquest were imported from the West. Not Fighting China! “The minority, including Prince Konoye (the Prime Minister) and myself, while appreciative of foreign, benefits, believe we should restore the old Japanism and advocate the greater good for the greater number. “If we cannot win that fight Japan will go down. “We are not fighting, conquering and exploiting China, although I admit it looks like that. “I say, give us time and we will prove—perhaps 30 or 50 years hence — that we mean the things we are saying. Pray For Better Understanding. “I am hoping, and even praying, we can regch a better understanding with the United States. I do not see anything on the Pacific over which we should fight.” Asked what would be the reaction to the possibility of American warships using Singapore, Mr. Matsuoka replied: “Such an eventuality would immediately become a matter for serious consideration by Japan.” He said the East Indies negotiations were purely economic, and the whole of the Greater East Asia programme was entirely removed from territorial ambition.