Tokyo, Apr. 18.
JERLD Powers should "reconsider" their attitude towards China in the light of "the new state of affairs in East Asi: the War Minister, Gen. Seishiro Itagaki, told reporters on his way back to Tokyo yesterday.
"It goes without ing that Japan is not trying to destroy her amicable relations with third party Powers, but Iam sure that enlightened statesmen are aware what sentiments the people of Japan are harbouring towards those interfering with the establishment of a new order in East Asia, a task which they have set upon with great determination and unity,"
Lieut,-Gen. Itagaki said.
Mit is lear that Gen. Chiang Kale cannot, continue. the. hastlities Seithout the assistance of third: party Powers he added.
"The 'War Minister's interview ats tracted widespread. attention tras the frst statement of opinion Coming from army sources since the Sajournment of the Diet in March iMe"reclewea. at length sot only" the Situation in' Asia but also. conditions Japanese front Hine units, the, War Minister wont on, noted. with "deep egvet™ tat evidences of ined parts Power assistance to. china were Being uncovered, These (cops, faded, were sairenuously avoiding seeds eonfets with. third Powers extending their protection to. the ter and the proper of third parts nationals, despite: the stratexteal disadvantages allen dant upon such rote Lieut-Gen, Haguki minimized the ejtecty ofthe muchepublicized Chinese SRpritoffensiver" which, he said wan being Taunehed *perfunctorly 10 Iitsty Chiang Heteshek'
The Chinese forces, the War Minister asserted, showed little fighting. spirit "as they are amply ware that an attack on the Japanese means that they will be wiped out "But they are continuing their stubborn resistance because of the fassistanee extended to them by third party Powers, who are de-Uberately disturbing the peace of East Asia." he said, Japan tio not yet decided whether or not the Yangtze River should be Feopened, the War Minister said. The question, he stated, should be solved from the independent standpoint of Japan, The welfare of the Chinese people fang the development of the interior made it desirable and necessary 10 wwe full necess to areas under apanese occupation in Keeping with the progress of reconstruction work andthe promotion of economic festivities, the War Minister cons tinued.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.