With reference to Reuter's mes-}sage from Tokyo published in yester-Jday's papers, intimating that a delicate situation which will possibi ly result in the severance of inlomatie relations, has been eveatfed by the Chinese Government's refusal to accept Mr. Obata as Minister to China,' political circles hhere express doubt that the Japanese. Government will act as suggested.
It is pointed out by persons well versed in international law that international practice requires the submission of a candidate's name as Minister for the previous agreement of the Government to which it proposed to accredit him, and that i¢ is by no means unusual for the Government concerned to prefer the nomination of another person than the one proposed. Instances can be cited even in recent diplomatic history; no offence is thereby intended ud no Government should take of-mee in such event.
The National Government, it is stated, will follow. the wishes of 1¢ Chinese people. No valid reason is apparent for the-alleged insistence by the Japanese Government on the: acceptance of Mr. Obata and refusal to name a new Minister who will be agreeable to China.
The sincere desire of the Chinese and government, it is emized, is for the strengthening of friendly' relations between Japan. fand China; and any intimation threatening serious consequences'! by Japan because of the Chinese Government regarding Mr. Obata }as, in diplomatic parlance, persona non grata will not assist in any way in furthering the cause of Siuo-Japanese friendship.—Kuo Min.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.