National Administration to be National Drive for Gunboat "Punished" to Replace U.S.S. Panay Tokyo, Dec, 19.
In a dramatic two-hour nocturnal audience last night, the Premier, Prince Ayamaro Konoye, reported to the Emperor the "Government's {determination to "punish thoroughly" the: Chinese National administration The revert embodied the decisions reached at a momentous meeting of the Cabinet, "heid late yesterday afternoon to formulate Japan's policy {owards China following the fall of Nanking.
'Arriving at the Palace at 830 jolock in the evening, the Premier remained closeted with the Emperor Juntit 10.10 o'clock at night, "The Government's" policy, the' "Asahi," a leading. journal, reported terday, provides for a "thorough chastisement" of the national administration through the adoption of "an attitude of endurance In the true sense of that word."
The hostilities, the Cabinet was said to have decided, will continue fo view of the Nations! Government's failure to reconsider its attitude and Intention to resist Japan "at a moment when it is reduced to the Status of a loca) military organiza tion, with four of China's largest cities, Shanghai, Nanking, Tientsin and Peiping, out of its control."
'The "Asahi" said it, believed the Government will follow the policy of "amplifying war results' without reaxing punishment by military tion, until the National Government surrenders and shows its sincerity by reconsidering its attitude Although determined to sever diplomatic relations with the National Government, the "Asahi" went on, the Cabinet stoss no need for a hasty announcement of this decision. Meanwhile, the Cabinet, the daily added, "hopes for the smooth growth of the Provisional Government in North China,"
"With a view to meeting the National Government's threat of protracted resistance," the "Asahi went on, "the Cabinet is considering a "general mobilization of the nation's resources, national finances, thought and other matters'
The Japanese Government will also a careful stand in international relations, "which became delicate with the fall of Nanking," ate "Asahi said, In. the circumstances, the journal predicted, the Cabinet will meet before the end of the year, if necessary, to amplify its China policy.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.