The eagerly awaited speech by Hachiro Arita, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, which he made before the Diet on Saturday, tells the world nothing new, and if it is to be taken as forecasting the nature of the Japanese replies to the American, British and French Notes, it is to be assumed that those missives have as yet produced no improving effect upon the relations between Japan and the nations concerned. Mr. Arita claims the Japanese action is entirely due to the necessity for fighting Communism, for ce-operation between the two countries involved, for the creation of a new set of conditions in the Far East, and for the realization and mutual practice of neighbour ly amity. Japan is stated to require no territory of China, and no indemnity, and further that she will respect the sovereignty of this country. It is denied that the Open Door is being closed, that denial being qualified by the contention that it will be necessary to enforce certain restrictions and regulations in spheres having a vital bearing upon the national defence and economic independence of Japan, Manchoukuo and China, but that, when all this has been done, there will be left open vast folds wherein the rights and interests of other countries, and the commercial and other peaceful enterprises of their nationals will remain absolutely unaffected, fields wherein foreign participation will be really welcome, "so that it is confidently expected that the economic activities of other Powers will be more than ever stimulated under the new order." Mr. Arita seems unconsciously demonstrating the same kind of wit that Mr. Shigemitsu consciously used in his recent speech in London, and, if the remark of a famous Queen "We are not amused," is quoted, that will in all probability represent foreign reaction to Mr. Arita's declarations. The facts of the present position in China so far as they concern the other Powers are so completely at variance with such statements, that with all the goodwill in the world it is impossible to reconcile the two. The Japanese Foreign Minister has most certainly given no assistance towards completing so difficult 2 process.
What are the facts? To set forth a complete list of the wrongs which are being inflicted upon third party neutrals in this China Incident would require more space than is at present available, but a few will suffice. There is the very patent discrimination which is being displayed by Japanese officials in China against the trading rights of the protesting Powers. In every port under Japanese control that is being displayed in one form or another. The limitation imposed upon such trading os can be done in North China by a rickety exchange control is common knowledge. So also are the disadvantages placed upon third party coastwise shipping, the failure even at this late date to recommence the conservancy of the Whangpoo, to allow unhampered access to the northern and eastern districts of It is with considerable satisfaction that it is recorded that the Mi l Council has succeeded so quickly in forming a committee of ratepayers to review the exchange adjustments and cost of living bonuses recently granted by the Council and the thanks of the community are due to those gentlemen who have consented to undertake this work in the public interest. The membership appears to be fully representative as is desirable in the circumstances, and it is to be hoped that the committee will soon be in a position to give the community their views on a subject which has caused very considerable heartburning, and anxiety. In the meantime it has been decided to publish no more correspondence on this very important subject, regarding the whole question until the committee has made its report as being sup judice. This has been decided upon as it is desirable that the committee's proceedings shall in no way be hampered by the expression of opinion other than that which it is to be hoped will be heard by the committee itself if and when it decides, as it is hoped it will, to call for evidence from without andas well as within the Council service. In any event public opinion on the subject has been very freely expressed, and if no such evidence as suggested is adduced, the members of the committee must neverthe-be fully apprised of the fact that there is y considerable opposition to the action which the Council has taken in the matter. The only real question at issue is a simple one,—has adequate justice been done between the municipal servants and the ratepayers, and has the municipal service throughout been treated with equity. Upon those issues the report of the committee will be eagerly awaited, but it must be emphasized that the Council on the one hand and the ratepayers on the other will naturally be expected to abide by whatever decision is reached, and in this regard it may be stated that the Council is to be commended for the promptness with which it recognized the trend of public opinion, and the rapidity with which it has acted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.