JAPAN’S INTENTIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 April 1941, Page 6

JAPAN’S INTENTIONS

TALKED ABOUT BY FOREIGN MINISTER IN VERY OBSCURE TERMS. NEED OF QUICK DECISIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) TOKIO, April 22. “Three great international treaties within six months should convince the United States that Japan’s intentions are strictly peaceful,” the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Matsu oka), with a characteristic mixture of astuteness and naivete told newspaper men today. “Firstly,” he said, “came the conclusion of the Tripartite Axis Pact, secondly the recognition of the Nanking regime as the basic Government of China, and thirdly the Neutrality Pact with the Soviet. In view of these three achievements, and since the United States is posing as a champion in the cause of peace, I believe the United States will chant peace upon being apprised of Japan’s true intentions.” Mr Matsuoka, however, did not elaborate or clarify these “true intentions.” He cited M. Stalin’s prompt decision on pact making as an example of how great leaders today were disposing quickly of momentous matters, adding: “We, too, must be quick to cope with the momentous need of the times. We must not confuse deliberation with procrastination.” Mr Matsuoka said the Soviet agreement was “entirely above-board and without secret understandings.” Asked whether Japan was ready to negotiate a non-aggression pact with the United States, he replied, after some hesitation, “I don’t know.”

FALL OF FOOCHOW OCCUPIED BY JAPANESE. (Received This Day, 1.55 a.m.) HONG KONG, April 22. The City of Foochow has fallen to the Japanese. An advance party reached the city yesterday and completed its peaceful occupation. The army spokesman in Tokio in a statement on the Japanese occupation of Foochow, which is the capital of the Province of Fukien, said the event has much significance due to the “severe influence” it will have on 6,000,000 Chinese merchants overseas who operate with Foochow as a base and will be disappointed with Chungking; and also because it intercepts "Chungking’s only remaining supply route, thus giving a fatal blow to Chiang Kai-shek.”