NO FEAR OF CONFLICT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1924, Page 7

NO FEAR OF CONFLICT.

JAPAN AND AMERICA. MANOEUVRES JUSTIFIED. WAR NOT PRACTICABLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 17, 11.25 p.m. New York, Dec. 16. The Tokio correspondent of the United Press states that General Itami, chief of the intelligence bureau of the Japanese General Staff, interviewed, declared that the United States was justified in holding naval manoeuvres in the Pacific, and Japan had no reason to object.

General Itami said: “We have never considered the manoeuvres a«s unfriendly. Every country is doing the same thing, and the necessity of defence justifies all such measures.” He stated that Japanese criticism of the proposed manoeuvres was the outgrowth of popular discussion by people who did not know the facts.

The Pacific Oeean was a sufficient, barrier to make impracticable war upon Japan by any Power on the opposite shore. General Itami said such a war would be fought only on pape*, ir> speeches, in imagination, and by way of the most idle speculation. It was true that there was some apprehension, br.t it was held by laymen unfamilar with the situation.

Despite the talk of war Japan and America were growing closer together, General Itami referred to the adoption by Japan of military training schools, following the American plan, as only one of many ideas obtained from the United States. He favoured criticism between nations,, but it must be friendly Io prevent bickerings. A NEW AMBASSADOR. Received Dec. 17, 8.40 p..m. Tokio, ,-Dec. 15. Mr. Thuneo: MaUudaira. -Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, has been appointed Ambassador at Washington.