POLICY OF JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 101, 23 January 1935, Page 9

POLICY OF JAPAN

Statement By Foreign Minister MAINTAINING PEACE Hope of New Agreement on Naval Question By Telegraph.—Press Assu. —Copyright. (Received January 22. 8.15 p.m.) Tokio, January 21. Mr. Hirota, Foreign Minister, in a speech in the Diet, said: “Our fundamental policy is to maintain peace and friendship and develop trade with foreign Powers. “We are at present most concerned in the question of naval disarmament, in respect to which our policy has previously been fully stated —the abolition of aggressive weapons and a radical reduction in armaments, removing a menace and rendering attack impossible. Because the Washington Treaty does not conform to this, we notified its termination. Not only does Japan not intend to increase her armaments, but site looks forward to a new agreement in accordance with the principle of disarmament. “The London talks, having clarified the views of the three Powers taking part, have been adjourned to enable the delegates to consult their Governments. Meanwhile, informal discussions continue. Japan wishes to resume negotiations as soon as possible for establishing a fair and reasonable agreement based on non-menace and non-aggression.” Admiral Okada, Ijjime Minister, said that the Government has a project for relief and eventual rehabilitation of the suffering farming and fishing populations. . The general tone of his speech was somewhat optimistic, especially regarding the growth of foreign trade, anticipating a further expansion.. THOUGHT SETTLED Jehol Border Dispute Peking. January 21. As the result of the Chinese agreeing to withdraw their troops to a line running between Kuyuau and Tuhsikou, the Jehol border dispute is now considered settled. According to the Japanese military authorities here the question of the final delimitation of the boundary will be loft for diploma tie negotiation later. (Note on Page 7.) A cable published yesterday stated that fears of a Japanese invasion of Inner Mongolia had been renewed by (lie action of the Japanese military at Jehol. wao had delivered an ultimatum to Chinese troops who occupied a small area outside the northern loop of flic Great Wall, east of Kuyuan. The Japanese authorities at Peking admitted that Japanese and Manchukuo 'troops were concentrating on Western Jehol for the purpose of forcibly clearing out the Chinese unless the latter, withdrew, but they denied any intention of invading Inner Mongolia. Chinese officials declared that the Japanese action was unjustified, as the territory was definitely a part of the Chahar Province, and, in any case, there wore no Chinese regulars there, only local militia.