JAPAN NOW READY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 370, 11 March 1932, Page 1

JAPAN NOW READY.

Note to China Seeks Early Peace. CHINESE SEND NOTE IN REPLY. United Press Assn.—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 11, 8.45 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 10. Hopeful signs of an early settlement of the outstanding Sino-Japanese differences are seen in a communication addressed to the Chinese authorities by the Japanese Minister of War, Mr Shigemitsu, indicating a definite desire speedily to enter into final negotiations for the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of forces. The Japanese make clear their readiness to negotiate along the lines of the League resolution. The Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs has announced that he will issue a statement on similar lines tonight. The League Commission will stay at Kobe to-night, and will sail for Shanghai to-morrow. The Chinese authorities have replied to a Japanese memorandum regarding the negotiations for peace. The reply states that the Government, in accordance with the League resolution of March 4, is prepared to enter into negotiations on the understanding stated by Dr Yen at Geneva, namely, that these negotiations are limited to matters relating to definite cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Japanese forces, no condition being attached to such withdrawal.

LEAGUE RESOLUTION.

Text Circulated Among Delegates. (Received March 11, 12.3 b p.m.) RUGBY, March 10. The text of the resolution on the Sino-Japanese dispute, which is to be produced before the General Committee of the Assembly, was circulated to delegates to-day, and its terms were telegraphed by their representatives to the Japanese and Chinese Governments. The text was of considerable length and is based on the Articles of the Covenant and the Pact of Paris. It is divided into four paragraphs. The first lays down that the Assembly recognises that the Covenant can be applied to the present dispute; the second affirms that it is contrary to the spirit of the League and the Covenant to find a solution by military pressure; the third deals with the previous resolutions of the Council and the principles which were laid down, including the withdrawal of the Japanese forces; and the fourth provides for the establishment of a Commission, including the President of the Assembly, M. Hymans, and all the members of the Council, except Japan and China, and six from the Assembly to be elected by ballot. Its general purpose will be to supervise and promote peace negotiations.

JAPANESE STATEMENT.

Outspoken Letter from Statesmen. LONDON, February 26. One of the most discussed letters on the Shanghai conflict appeared in “ The Times” on February 18. The signatories, which included Lord Cecil, Professor Gilbert Murray, Sir Charles Addis and Sir Arthur Salter, declared that it was time that Britain awakened to the fact that Japan aimed at the military domination of China. “ The Times ” now publishes a cabled letter in reply. The signatories include the distinguished statesmen, Viscount Ishii, Baron Wakatsuki and Prince Tokugawa. They assert that China’s ineffective central-control, and not her weakness, is responsible for the present deplorable situation. Japan is acting in sheer self-defence against the Chinese militarists, who obey only their own will. Their only principle is to overcome rival chieftains, thus gratifying their personal greed and ambition. They are totally unconcerned with the peace and security of the Far East. “It is most unfortunate,” they say, “ that your correspondents embitter and prejudice the issue. “ The amazing assertion that Japan is aiming at military domination would be laughable if it was not so mischievously dangerous and ill-timed. “ Britain, America and other Powers have hitherto found it imperative to repel the attacks of the Chinese militarists. Japan has done no more. “ She has not the remotest intention of military domination. “ The greatest danger to universal peace is a generous but ignorant sympathy with an imaginary China. “ We have always placed the highest value on British fair play, which is not conspicuous in the letter to which we reply. “We continue to believe that the great mass of Britons will retain confidence in their old allies, and will not see her as a piratical adventurer, with a brazen conscience, ready lightheartedly to subjugate a continent.”