Tokyo, Sept. 10.
The belief that current Sino-Japanese hostilities will extend into 1938 was expressed here this afternoon by the Premier, Prince Fumimaro Konoye, to assembled newspapermen, "It is unlikely," the Premier declared, "that hostilities will be terminated by the end of this year. On the contrary, there is much possibility that the hostilities will extend into 1938."
Prince Konoye then emphasized that the fighting services will be given special consideration when the budget for the next fiscal year is drawn up. He added that the next budget will be estimated on the expectation that hostilities will continue, Questioned as to whether the Government was contemplating the creation of various organs further to strengthen national solidarity, the Premier declared that the Government was at present so engrossed in the successful conduct of military operations against the Chinese that no particular attention had been given the establishment of new agencies, Regarding the reported intention of the Government of sending special envoys to Europe and the United States to explain Japan's case, Prince Konoye voiced the opinion that businessmen would be best suited for the mission. He emphasized that, businessmen would be able to secure deeper understanding with various interested quarters abroad,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.