JAPAN'S REPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24142, 8 December 1941, Page 7

JAPAN'S REPLY

TROOPS IN INDO-CHINA

"DEFENCE MEASURES"

ATjLEGEI) CHINESE TIIIiEAT (Seed. 7.10 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, Dec. 6

The special Japanese 'envoy, Mr. Kurusu, and the Japanese Ambassador, Admiral Nomura, handed to Mr. Hull, United States Secretary of State, reply tO'President Roosevelt's request for information about the reasons for the increase in Japanese forces in Indo-China, but no reply was made tp;;Mr. Hull's Note of November -26, seeking a complete general settlement in the Pacific. t: <

"The official text of Japan's reply regarding Indo-China is as follows: "As Chinese troops have recently shown frequent signs of movements along the northern frontier of French Indochina, Japanese troops, with the object oi mainly taking precautionary measures. have been reinforced to a cef--taiH extent in Northern Indo-China. As » natural sequence, certain movements lisre been made among the troops *'»ationed in southern Indo-China. "Exaggerated Report" ..."It seems that an exaggerated re•JJQrt lias been made of these movements. It should be added that no Measures are being taken by the .Japanese Government that may transgress jhe stipulations of the protocol of joint, defence between Japan and France." '

"'Ahe Note is signed by Admiral Komnra. .. The general view in/ Washington is that, while tension has been slightly lessened as the result of the Japanese Wply, there is every justification for / *ootinued British and American alertin the Pacific. • , "Continue to Seek Peace" The Japanese Government spokesman in-'J'okio, Mr. IJori, expressed the opinion that both the United States Japan would continue with sincerity to try to find a common formula for a peaceful Pacific. , Mr. Hori said that Prince Konoye, -Men Prime .Minister/' had "made it V? ar *' iat we have no territorial ambitions." He added: "In the present instance there has been misunderstandthat is why we began the and that is the very reason why we are continuing them." 'i Proposal to appoint a JapaneseAmerican commission to iron out the + §eific deadlock is supported in imcivilian circles in Tokio. Count %ntaro ]£aneko, a privy councillor a veteran student of United States *"airs, suggested that a committee of '■ respectable and trustworthy reprefrom the economic, politiB+• a diplomatic circles of both A ons should meet either in Japan United States. ; tlh +1 lnn Shai correspondent of the fliZ Press says German and JapanPurees have reported that German jf c? a^s "I ie ar nre meeting N&' a,l ßhai to discuss the extent of participation and aid to Japan event of wax in the Pacifio.