AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 7

AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN

Chinese Recognition Of Manchukuo Regarded As “Propaganda” United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 22, 6 30 p.m.) HONGKONG, January 21. A former associate of Wang Ching Wei (Puppet President) revealed the text of an agreement signed on December 30 between Wang and Japan providing for Chinese recognition of Manchukuo, Chinese, Japanese and Manchukuoan co-operation in the establishment of an anti-Communist front, the designation of north China and Mongolia as a special zone for Japanese defence and economic development, the recognition of Japan's economic predominance in the lower Yangtse valley and paramountcy in certain islands, including Hainan and Amoy, the introduction of tariffs and a customs system designed to promote commerce between China, Japan and Manchukuo. and the stationing of Japanese troops in various areas in which Japan will supervise communication. It also provides for the reduction of the Chinese army and police to a minimum and indemnification for Japanese national losses since the beginning of the war. The new central Government would eventually absorb the Japanese dominated Nanking Government and a North China Political Council with broad autonomous powers and replace the present Peking Government. Unofficial Japanese sources assert that the publication is propaganda designed to damage Wang’s plans. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman said that the Wang Ching Wei agreement cannot exist because the new regime has not been established.