FOREIGN RELATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21792, 5 May 1934, Page 11

FOREIGN RELATIONS

MR. HIROTA EXPLAINS DESIRE FOR HARMONY {Received May 4, 11.35 p.m.) TOKIO. May 4 In the course of an address to Prefectural Governors at their annual conference the Foreign Minister, Mr. Hirota, said Japan must promote foreign friendships on a basis of just dealings. She did not intend to adopt a policy of exclusivism in East Asia nor to encroach upon the treaty rights of other Powers. While Japan did not object to individual exchanges of opinion with interested Powers regarding treaties when necessary she wanted harmony with all nations. On that her foreign policy was based. Japan .was satisfied that the Chinese were showing signs of understanding her real motives. The text of an amicable exchange of messages between Mr. Hirota, the Japanese Foreign Minister, and Mr. Cordell Hull, the United States Secretary of State, has been given to the press, said the Washington correspondent of the Times in a recent despatch. Mr. Hirota, with the arrival of the new Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hirosi Saito, in Washington, expressed the conviction that "no question exists between, our two countries that is fundamentally incapable of amicable solution."

"I ,can state," said Mr. Hirota, "with all the emphasis at my command that the Japanese nation makes it its basic principle to collaborate in peace and harmony with all nations, and has no intention whatever to provoke and make trouble with any other Power. It is the sincere desire of Japan that a most peaceful and friendly relation will be firmly established between her and her great neighbour across the Pacific, the United States." Mr. Hull, in the course of his reply, welcomed this assurance and stated categorically that the United States on its part had no desire to create any issues and no intention to initiate any conflict in its relations with other countries. Accordingly he seized the opportunity to express his earnest hope that it was possible for all the countries which have interests in the Far East to approach every question existing or which might arise between or among them in such a spirit and manner that these questions might be regulated or resolved with injury to none and with definite and lasting advantage to nil As a pendant to this friendly exchange, continued the correspondent, there is interest in a brief extract from an address recently and semi-privately made in Washington by Mr. Georgo Bronspn Ren. an American who is hero as the, "unofficial representative of the Government of Mancbukuo," under the general heading of "Must America firrht Japan?" He asked bis hearers whether tbe frame was worth the candle, and. soenkintr as an Air>°rican, argued in tlie negative. He said: — "Japan will not arbitrate on Manchuria and will fight before she surrenders her hard-won rights in a territory she hold* as vital to her security as the United States does the Panama Canal. America's refusal to recognise what Janan has done in these regions, therefore, constitutes a direct challenge, and anv attempt to implement and enforce the Stimson doctrine must inevitably lead to hostilities. Are we ready for the showdown? Tf it comes even through war between .Tann" and Russia, will we be drawn into it s Will the other Powers cotip to our aid or will we have to face it alone? Remember, we would not come to the aid of France. Britain dares not send her fleet away from her home ; waters Therefore we stand alone."

Mr. Rea expressed the belief that the only Power capable of challenging Japan's influence in Mnncbukuo was Russia, ami asked: "Does our recognition of Moscow and our agreement to extend a vast credit for the purchase of our materials menu that as a Tnst resort we hare entered into a centlenian's ;i"reement with Oo'nrnunism tc coerce Japan into recognising a doctrine that the League and the United States'are too feeble to enforce?"