REMARKS ABOUT JAPAN

Western Star, 6 April 1939, Page 3

REMARKS ABOUT JAPAN

CONSUL-GENERAL’S ' RESENTMENT

CRITICISM OF ACTIONS IN CHINA WELLINGTON, April 4. Resentment at remarks about Japan made by Dr Tyler Bennett, a Carnegie Corporation visitor, in an interview on Monday was expressed by the ConsulGeneral for Japan (Mr K. Gunji). _ “Dr Bennett is reported as having expressed various views about the ambitions of Japan and her intentions in the event of war. These are purely opinions unsupported by evidence, but 3s such he is entitled to voice them,” said Mr Gunji. “Future events, however, I am sure, will severely shatter his reputation, either as an expert or prophet, but when Dr Bennett criticized Japan’s actions in China he has dealt most superficially with an extremely complex situation, _ which I consider does not enhance his-standing as an expert on Pacific affairs. One is bound to wonder what would be the attitude of Dr Bennett’s own country if 80 per cent, of her foreign investments were jeopardized, some hundreds tf her nationals massacred and her own national integrity endangered by a wave of aggressive communism sweeping throughout a neighbouring territory, ignoring treaties and carrying out wholesale destruction of. United States property. It seems to me - an unfortunate tendency on the part of pre-sent-day international experts to castigate Japan for taking up arms to combat the grave crisis which has been forced upon her. It would be more in keeping if the critics, instead, of declaiming against Japan, would give due consideration to the fundamental causes which made the China incident a matter of life or death to my country. One is forced to the conclusion that the agitation which is so persistently pursued against Japan by various countries who have done their utmost to strangle my country commercially and economically is nothing less than sheer hypocrisy, actuated’ by jealousy. It would be quite a mistake to assume that this farcical censure is not seen in its true light, not only by the statesmen and people of Japan, but by all who care to give careful study to the circumstances from which the present conflict in the East has resulted."