JAPAN DENIES MOBILISING IN 1921 AGAINST U.S.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 1

JAPAN DENIES MOBILISING IN 1921 AGAINST U.S.

NOT A SCINTILLA OF TRUTH IN DOHENY’S REPORTED OIL DEFENCE By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 29, 10.30 a.m.) TOKIO, November 28.. “It would be astounding news if_ it were, true," is the comment of a high official at the War Office upon the Washington dispatches, giving details of Doheny’s oil lease defence, containing the allegation that Japan in December, 1921, had ordered mobilisation for an attack upon Hawaii and the Philippines. “Certainly there is not a scintilla of truth in it, as not only the War Department of Japan, but also the whole of the world knows that throughout the autumn of 1921 Japan was preparing for the momentous Washington Conference, at which the Japanese delegates, under" the Emperor’s instruction, participated eagerly in agreements ensuring permanent peace in the Pacific. It will be deeply regretted by the entire nation that such a mischievous and entirely false assertion can be uttered under the protection of the United States Federal Court. Its publication has caused a most painful impression, because it is believed that it indicates the continued existence of bitter anti-Japanese propaganda in America, notwithstanding the sincere efforts made recently by the Japanese to demonstrate their desire for friendship in spite of the Exclusion x\ct.