The following statement, explain ing the recent action taken in Manchuria, has been issued by the Jaanese Government after an extra-Sriisary Cabinet meeting held on Thursday:
The Japanese Government have constantly been exercising honest endeavours in pursuance of its sett-{ed policy to foster friendly re-Istions between Japan and China and to promote common prosperity aod well-being of the two countries. Unfortunately. the conduct. of offials and individuals of China some Sears past has been such that our Rational. sentiment has frequently peep irritated. In. particular, unpleasant incidents have taken place tone after another in the regions of Manchuria and Mongolia, in which Japan is interested in an especial the impression. has Japanese Friendly attitude is not being reciprocated by China in like spirit. \imidst the at stechment of Chinese troops. des toyed the tracks of the South Mlanchuria 'Railway. in. the vicinity of Molden and attacked oer Railway Guards on the midnight of Septem-Ber 18, "A clash between Japanese and Chinese troops then took' place.
The situation became critical, the mumber of the Japanese guards stationed along the entire railway did not then exceed "10400 while there "were in juxtaposition some 220,000 Chinese soldiers. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of Japanese residents were placed in jeopardy.
order to forestall an imminent disaster the Japanese army had fact swiftly. 'The Chinese. soldiers gerdsoned' in the neighbouring fection were dimmed, and, he der was left in the hands of the aly of maintaining peace and ot-
Toco! "Chinese organisations "under supervision of the Japanese troops.
These measures having been li taken, our soldiers were mostly Withdraw within the Railway Zone. There still remain some detachments in Mukden and Kirin and a small number of men in few other Diaces, but nowhere does a. state of Tniltary occupation as such exist Reports that the Japanese authortfen have seized the Customs oF the Salt Gabelle Office in' Newchwang or that. they have taken control of the: Chinese railways. between: Chengchistun or bea Sinmintan are north of Changehun or into Chien the tao any foundation in fact, possible efforts should be made to wride prevent the aggravation of the situation, and instructions to that effect were given to the Commander: of the Maxchurian Garrison. It is, true that a detachment was despatched from Changchun to Kirin on September 21, but it was not with view to military occupation but only for the purpose of removing the menace to the South Manchuria Railway in flank. As soon as that object has been attained the bulk of our detachment will be withdrawn, It may be added that while 'a mixed brigade of 4,000 men was sent from Korea to join the Mai churian Garrison the total number: of mien in the Garrison at. present still remains within the limit set the treaty and that fact cannot therefore be regarded as having in any way added to the seriousness of the international situation 'Tt may be superfluous to. repeat that the Japanese Coverament baure no territorial designs im San-chore' Want we dear, ist that Japanese subjects shall be enabled' safely to engage in various peacetsl pursuits and be given the opportunity of participating in the de-Selopment st that land by means of Caplal and labour, It i the pro-DEE diy ofa Corrente eke jenjored by their nation or individ. the rights and interests legitimate
Gale "rhe codenvours' ofthe pssme Gevrainan 0 guard. Booth: Manchuria Rafiway against wanton ptteccs thee be viewed ether light. The Japanese Gor. Ernment, tine te the estantioed polis is prepared to ce-operate with Gaunsee Goversucnt in one to prevent the present incident] from developing into a disastrous situation betiveen the two countries and to work out such constructive plans as will once for all eradicate he causes for future friction. The Japanese Goverament would be more than gratified if the present Gificalty could be brought to a soli tion which will give anew turn to the mutual relations between the two countries.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.