"The Japanese forces opened the Yanitlze in order to execute their operations. We believe that the third Powers who did not take effective ops to cheek the blockading of the fiver, when that was carried out by the Chinese forces for their hostile purposes, must now be able to realize the fuet that the Japanese forces com-leied at a great sacrifice the open-Ing of the tiver solely for theirmilite ary purposes.
The hostilities have not come to an end yet, The operations are still bin on, and the Yangtze, even now that the' Wuhan area is under our control, Is part of the battlefield and constitutes an artery of replenishment which is of great importance for our operations, The Japanese forces are making great efforts to secure them-elves against the obstructions put up the Chinese forces.
"A large number of Japanese ves-tele now navigating the Yangtze ver are engaged in the transportation of munitions and such articles as re necessary for the maintenance of he Japanese forces and organizations attached to them, and no vessel is engaged in general trade.
"tis needless to say that the Japanese operating forces earnestly sire that, as the necessity for ex-cuting military operations in Central China "decreases, such a state of aifsirs may speedily the restored as will enable the Powers concerned to njoy trading on the Yangtze. The Dresent situation, however, is far from our wish, and we shall be eom-Billed {0 stiek'to our decision as long a the Chinese forees maintain their resent attitude."
Irouo Raised by "N.C.D.N." will be recalled that the "North: China Daily "News" raised this issue vera! weeks ago, publishing facts hich indicated that Japanese vessels bled the Yangtze freely, whereas Wicd Power ships wore denied that right by the Japanese armed forces. A the press conference "yesterday, Khere the communique was issued, the reaulay spokesmen—Army, Navy Embassy—having associated themselves with the context of the {ecument, correspondents launched a rage of questions at Rear-Mimirat Nomura, who attended. He '2s questioned for about 90 minutes citiniral Nomura stated that all Jessels on the Yangtze were operated rRalte japanese Army. and Navy: whet, Were not engaged in general {ade and carried only such supplies ial equipment as was necessary' for miles and allied organizations. coming fo a question regarding the ort of Chinase products to Japan.
{ail hat the goods were ultimate: cent entirely for Japanese military remption—the Japanese nation re~ tone', 288 part of their supplies aetet=eas. To another question, aving "been mentioned "in the "North-China Daily News," that large quantities of hog bristles were being shipped out, he replied that they were being' used to make. tooth brushes for soldiers and: sailors.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.