Such circumspection has, it must ye conceded, been manifested frequently at eghsiderable risks from a siategical point of view. Moreover, it is the settled policy of the Japanese Government, wherever restrictions on ihe extraterritorial rights of other Powers have been imposed, to relax them at the earliest possible moment consistent with the requirements of the military situation. There have been numerous recent cases of such relaxation in Shanghai and elsewhere, with which British and American readers will be familiar. Negoti tions are in progress for further such relaxation. But the successful conclusion of such negotiations can be assisted by a proper understanding among the third Power nationals and Government concerned of the correct legal position as defined by Professor Renault Japan is fully entitled to impose the restrictions she has imposed, and her relaxation of them, while the hostilities (which are their legal justification) are still in progress, is an act of international courtesy prompted by scrupulous regard for foreign interests and sympathetic consideration for the persons actually concerned. In other and plainer language, Japan is doing what she is legally entitled not to do.
When this is fully realized, it may be possible for the foreign Powers to appreciate the Japanese effects in this respect in the proper spirit, and furthermore to recognize that Japan, and Japan alone, can be the judge us to the circumstances in which such concessions to international courtesy can safely be made. With the greatest respect, I would suggest that it is improper, to say the least of it, for foreign Powers to attempt to impose upon Japan their interpretation of her military necessities in China in the interests of a more expeditious restoration of their peacetime rights in an area in proximity to that in which hostilities are in progress
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.