JAPAN’S REPLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 February 1933, Page 5

JAPAN’S REPLY

TO LEAGUE COMMITTEE PROPOSALS REJECTED JEHOL POSITION (United Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) GENEVA, 13th February. The Japanese Government’s reply to the Committee of Nineteen lias been received. It is understood Japan refuses to recognise China’s sovereignty over Manchukuo or to cease operations m Jehol province. Japan considers the constitution of the autonomous State of Manchukuo is the sole guarantee of peace in that region. Japan must therefore decline to adopt the proposals of tile Committee of Nineteen.

]\l. Matsuoka told Sir Eric Drummond that there were 180,000 Chinese troops massed on the Jehol frontier and the only way to prevent bloodshed was fo secure the withdrawal of the troops. Japanese operations were purely in the nature of police control. The governor of Jehol himself had asked for Japanese intervention. M. Matsuoku added that Japan will not break the peace if China does not attack . FOREIGN INTERFERENCE RESENTED BY JAPAN (Received 15th February, 9.30 a.m.) GENEVA, 13th February. M. Matsuoka, exclusively interviewed by the “Daily Mail” said Japan did not want to withdraw from the League, hut Japanese opinion would compel this if the League condemned her. Japan had shown China that she could not disregard treaties and boycott and attack Japan with impunity. Japan could not brook foreign interference in her dealing with China, which never controlled Manchuria. Giving her control now would he giving her machinery she could not operate. “We Japanese are a proud people. We can be influenced by friendliness. We cannot he dictated to. We would not attempt to dictate to a Western power. The time has passed when Western pressure can bring us to terms.”