This right provided Japan with safeguards. H. M. Government therefore assumed that the Japanese statement was not intended to infringe upon the common rights of the other Powers in China or upon Fapan's own treaty obligations.
Mr. Hirota's reply, the Foreign Secretary continued, indicated that the British Government was correct The Japanese Foreign Minister had assured Sir Francis Lindley that Japan would. observe the provisions of the Nine-Power Pact and that the policy of the British and the Japanese Governments coincided. Mr. Hirota had concluded by saying that Japan con-
Unued to attach the greatest import= tance to the Open Door in China, Replying to questions, Sir John Simon said that the statement made by Mr, Hirota was reasonably clear and H. M. Government was content to] leave "the matter where it was.
Government was resolved to assist to the utmost extent and in spirit of international co-opera ton in China's progress towards] peace and prosperity and towards harmony and good-will in the Far
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.