NO AGGRESSION

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 7

NO AGGRESSION

JAPAN’S POLICY PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP SPEECH BY MR K. HIROTA (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) Tokio, January 21. Mr K. Hirota, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a speech in the Diet, said: “Our fundamental policy is to maintain peace and friendship and develop trade with foreign Powers. We at present are most concerned with the question of naval disarmament about which our policy was previously fully stated, viz., abolition of aggressive weapons, a radical reduction of armaments, removing menace and rendering attack impossible. Because the Washington Treaty does not conform thereto, we notified its termination. Not only does Japan not intend to increase armaments, but she looks forward to a new agreement in accordance with the principle of disarmament. London talks having clarified the views of three Powers, they have been adjourned to enable the delegates to consult their Governments. Meanwhile informal discussions continue. Japan wishes to resume negotiations as soon as possible for establishing a fair and’reasonable agreement based on non-menaee and non-aggression.” Mr Okada said the Government has a project for the relief and eventual rehabilitation of the suffering farming and fishing population. The general tone of his speech was somewhat optimistic, especially the growth of foreign trade, anticipating further expansion.