FUTURE OF CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23692, 27 December 1938, Page 9

FUTURE OF CHINA

JAPAN'S PEACE TERMS COMMENT IN THE PRESS "WESTERN INTRIGUES" TOKIO, Dec. 23. Enunciating Japan's peace terms, Prince Konoye said that China must also recognise Manchukuo. He added that Japan would undertake not to limit the interests of those third Powers " who grasped the meaning of the new East and Asia, and were willing to act accordingly." The press praises Prince Konoye's terms as heralding a new order in the East and Asia.

The Kokumin Shimbun says they are designed to save China from the influences of Western Powers, which is the keynote of Japanese Far East diplomacv. The Nichinichi Shimbun hopes that they will "deliver the coup de grace to Western intrigues alienating Japan and China." GERMAN PRESS COMMENT ABOLITION OF CONCESSIONS BERLIN, Dec. 23. The Berliner Tageblatt says Japan is seeking to create a community of Far Eastern nations politically, economically, and racially stronger than the Monroe Doctrine. The Voelkischer Beobachter supports the abolition of all foreign concessions in China, but admits the most difficult obstacle is the attitude of the Chinese population towards Japan, which the war has not changed. TERMS REJECTED CHUNKING, Dec. 24. (Received Dec. 26, at 6.30 p.m.) The Foreign Office rejected Prince Konoye's peace terms as entirely insincere. FORMER PREMIER OF CHINA TO DISCUSS PEACE TERMS SHANGHAI, Dec. 25. (Received Dec. 26, at 11 p.m.) Reliable British informants state that Mr Wang Chinwei, a former Premier of Nationalist China, is due at Hongkong from Hanoi. It is reported that he will discuss peace terms with the Japanese. It is stressed that Mr Wang has certain " conditions of peace " from General Chiang Kai-shek. The central headquarters of the Japanese Army, commenting on this report, said: "We are always glad to shake hands with anyone, even if they are affiliated with the Kuomintang, who desires to participate in the reconstruction of a new China."