London,. Jan. 19.
Mhe reference to Great Britain yesterday by the Japanese Premier, Prince Konoye, is thought in London to be aimed at offsetting the challenging attitude adopted by Admiral Suetsugu, the Japanese Home Minister, in his recent pronouncement It is believed here in responsible circles that Japan does not wish to cause direct offence to Great Britain, or to allow relations between England and Japan to deteriorate.
"According to the "Asahi Shimbun," Prince Konoye is reported to have said that "to make an enemy of everybody is not good diplomacy. Great Britain, for example, is a most realistic nation and has changed its policy with every change in the situation."
Meanwhile, Japan's policy towards the "Provisional Government," at Peiping, is understood to be in line With her declared enmity to General Chiang Kai-shek's regime. It sidered obvious that the "Provi Government" is completely under Japanese control and does not necessarily represent Chinese opinion.
{he statement made by the Secretary of the Japanese Cabinet, Mr. Akira Kazami, that Japan's intention not to deal with the Chinese Government is a stronger step than the withdrawal of recognition or a declaration of war, is considered in London as mystifying.
The withdrawal of her diplomatic representatives already implies a refusal to deal with China, but it is mot considered here as strong a measure as. à declaration of war "would be—Reuter.
Japan but that as soon as Japan should show a sincere desire for peace, China would be ready to do everything possible to secure friendly ce-operation between the two nations. Such ce-operation would, however, only be achieved on a basis of mutual respect and recognition of each other's rights:—Trans-Ocean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.