"In addition, I said that, on this issue, in so far as foreign relations were concerned, we might have e: pected the assistance of Great Britain, the United States and of France, the acquiescence of the Soviet Union, the non-intervention of Germany and Italy and especially the awakening of Japan. And if Japan should come to the realization of the fact that China could not be objected by force of arms nor the r East could be brought. under its absolute hegemony, then peace would tually come to the relief of all These views were known to all those comrades who were present at our conversation "The statement issued by the Jap. ese Government on December indicated that Japan has come to the proper realization of her position with regard to China. It may be recalled that although the terms proposed by Japan through the into me diary of the German Ambassador, prior to the fall of Nanking in the early part of December (1937), were more una even definite, yet Gen. Eh in view of the general situation, had no hesitation in accepting them as the basis on which to negotiate an honourable peace.
"Subsequently, however, as the result of Japan's own hesitation and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.