STRANGE CLAIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1940, Page 5

STRANGE CLAIMS

MADE BV JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER OPPOSITION TO CONQUEST AND EXPLOITATION. POSSIBILITY OF CONFLICT WITH AMERICA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, December 9. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, in a general interview with foreign correspondents, said: “The Triple Alliance represents the keystone of Japanese foreign policy. However war against America, originating from this, could come only in the event of America being adjudged the aggressor in a conflict with Germany. “If Germany attacks America, the Tripartite Pact will not be invoked, he added. “If the United States attacks Germany we will have to join in the war. The three Powers must decide. They will first judge independently and then the three will get together and exchange views and determine whether this supposed American entry comes under Article 3 of the treaty. If all agree, naturally Japan will be under an obligation to participate. I hope such a case will not arise. That wish is the very object of the part.” Continuing Mr. Matsuoka said: “I am hoping, even praying, that we can reach a better understanding with the United Slates. I do not see anything in the Pacific over which we should fight.” Asked concerning reaction to the possibility of American warships at Singapore Mr. Matsuoka said: “Such an eventuality would immediately become a matter for serious consideration by Japan.” He said the East Indies negotiations were purely economic and the whole of the great East Asia ’ programme was entirely removed from territorial ambition.

He concluded: "We are opposed to conquest, oppression or exploitation, whether by Japan or anybody else. Some of our people advicate those very things and unfortunately those ideas of greed and conquest were imported from the West. A minority, including Prince Konoye and myself, while appreciative of foreign benefits, believe we should restore the old Japanese advocacy of great good for the greater number. If we cannot win that fight Japan will go down. We are not fighting. conquering and exploiting China, although I admit it looks like that. 1 say: ‘Give us time and we will prove perhaps 30 to 50 years hence —that we mean the things we are saying.”