ASSURANCE BY JAPAN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21232, 1 October 1940, Page 5

ASSURANCE BY JAPAN

WAR NOT WANTED ATTITUDE TO AMERICA (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) TOKIO, Sept. 30 The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Y. Suma, said that notwithstanding the tripartite pact, Japan would make an effort diplomatically to settle Japanese-Ameri-can questions. He reiterated that the pact was defensive, and was not intended to provoke war with other Powers. Asked whether German warships entering the Pacific would be accorded special facilities, Mr Suma replied: “That is not stipulated in the treaty.” Asked whether a declaration of war would be necessary under the mutual assistance clause of the pact, Mr Suma said the signatories would decide when “war was involved.” In reply to a question whether Japan was making an effort for a non-aggression pact with the Soviet, Mr Suma answered: “That is too delicate a matter to take up.” The Kikumin Shimbun said an Elder Statesman had advised the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, to convoke an extraordinary session of the Diet in order to demonstrate to the world that Japan’s 100,000,000 people were unified behind the triple alliance.

The newspaper added that the Government would soon start a national movement for perfect defence.