PEACEFUL MOTIVES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11654, 19 October 1923, Page 6

PEACEFUL MOTIVES

JAPAN’S ASSURANCE .'ORE LIBERALITY FROM AUSTRALIA DESIRED. “.MUCH MISUNDER STANDING. ” By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. TOKIO, October 16. The Australian Press correspondent intorriewed Barron ljuin, Foreign Minister, regarding the Singapore base. The Minister said tlie Washington Agreement furnished no grounds for protest again,s(fc Britain’s proposal. Britain iy'as naturally anxious to adopt certain measures to protect the dominions. She had many important interests, and Singapore was one of the most important strategic situations. Though the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was no longer operating, the best possible understanding existed between Britain and Japan. The Washington tJonfcrenc© and the Pacific Pact should guarantee a long peace in the Pacific. Britain, America, and Japan were specially interested in the Pacific, and he hoped that all would follow the spirit of the Washington Conference, in which case no difficulties* were likely to arise. ■‘GOOD FJUENDS ALWAYS.” Japan was most anxious to see that spirit continued for ever. Peace was very necessary to all countries. Regarding China, Japan’s policy was one of the open door and equal opportunity for all. There was* no' fear of any serious quarrel between America and Japan on this or any other question- Japan desired to be a friendly neighbour to China commercially and indsnstrially. “So far as ‘White Australia’ is concerned, Japan is desirous that your country shall give us more liberal treatment. There has been much misunderstanding by Australians. We are anxious to be good friends always. That is the best policy for all the countries bordering on the Pacific.”