Kyoto, June 26.
"Japan is prepared to carry on hostilities in China for 10 years if they should last that long," Lieut.- Gen. Seishiro Itagaki, Minister of War, told newspaper correspondents in am interview here yesterday.
"Phere is a possibility," he said, "that Chiang Kai-shek may attempt resistance for the rest of his life; in such an event we must be ready to carry on the fight, "In case of prolonged hostilities the system of national mobilization in both material and spiritual life, as hitherto adopted, may not be sufficient. As for supplies of military materials, the concerted efforts of the entire nation can, I believe, cope with a protracted conflict, however long it may be.
"There seems to be some talk about a declaration of war, but the statement issued on January 16 makes a declaration of war unnecessary under the present circumstances, I think. ut it is a question worthy of study."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.