Tokyo, May 9.
[APAN'S new military offensive in China possibly may force Gen.
Chiang Kai-shek to sue for peace, but in such an event Japan would not accept his proposals.
Premier Prince Ayamaro Konoye made this statement to newspaper men aboard a train en route here from Tokyo today to attend a memorial service for Emperor Komei, As. result of the new develop. ments in the military situation Chiang Kal-shek may reconsider his attitwie and attempt to establish friendly relations with the new. Government In China, the Premier said, There Would be no alternative left for the Nationalist. administration but to be merged with the Provisional Government of China, Premier Prince Konoye asserted, ie predicted that the war situation will show such a. definite de-Volopment" "within, "the course of the current month" as will warvant the amalgamation of the Provisional. and Reformed Governments Foreign Minister's Views Similar views were expressed a day earlier by "the Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota, in his frst interview with foreign newspapermen in six months.
Japan, he declared, wilt adhere to her policy of not dealing with the Hankow Government "even if Gen.
Chiang' Kal-shek changes his attitude and accepts Japan's requirements in full".
T cannot: imagine", he declared, that any foreign nation which understands Japan's real intentions "in agcordanee with the fixed pion.' New Government machinery must be established in. the meantime, slated, for unifying Japan's. policies China.
"The China incident 1s progressing favourably for Japan as expected according. to our plans," the Premier declared," "The. new developments in the hostilities, frm the point of view of objectives aimed at, are of greater Importance than the' capture of Nanking was. The seeming dead-Jock inthe war situation has been reported abroad in a very exaggerate ed manner. Therefore, the new Japanese. military operations have an important significance abroad.
"Japan is not In a position cept a peace proposal from" Chia aleahek, if he should sue for peace, because "Japan declared she would cease to deal with Chiang Kai-shek on. Jan. 10, Consequently with the development of the war situation Chiang Kai-shek may reconsider and attempt to establish friendly relations with the new regime in China.
Merged In New Regim"
"On her part, Japan will ce-operate with the new regime in China und the anti-Comintern banner, 'Ther fore there will be no alternative lett for the Chiang Kai-shek adminis tration in China than' to be merged with the Provisional Government. of, the Republic of China.
"phere still" remain some pointe which need further consideration in regard to the date of the merger the two Governments and recognition by our country. We should bring. about a merger of both Governments 'a8 soon 08 possible and establish the new regime on a solid foundation, "Wo shall art detailed studies in the middle of this month on the qu tions of formulating the guiding prin= ciples of the new administration and the establishment of China policy central organ, "We have not yet decided whether we shall have a bureau outside the Cabinet or what persons we shall appoint for the purpose, At the last meeting of the Cabinet Council different opinions pressed regarding the holding Four-ministey of and the charge of our China policy. By the end of this month we shall decide the principles for establishing a een-rol organ so that we may unify our China policy.
'The Imperial Government, acting on our principle of protecting' foreign Pightg and Interests, will try to avoid riy friction or antagonism atween foreign interests and the activities of the North and Central China Develdpment. Companies. But 1 have special plan for that at presen Domei,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.