"It ig natural, therefore," he added, hat the authorities and press should try to adopt such an attitude towards the new situation as to avoid need-
Jess trouble with the Soviet Union,"
There was no change, however, he continued, in the Government's policy, "which has consistently aimed at the promotion of "good neighbour' relations."
Although he was not in a position to divulge the full contents of the conversation between Admiral. Nom-and Mf, Smetanin," replied the spokes~ man to a further question put by the correspondent, He reiterated that Japan lowing a "good _neighbou towards the Soviet Union, sincere effort to. readjust relations between the two countries, which, if realized, would certainly contribute the peace and order of East Asia, Only questions of direct concern. to Japan and the Soviet, the spoke: man said, would be discussed between them, It was possible, he! added, to discuss these questions without touching on the China started between Japan and _the whether would" be:
Another correspondent then asked
Soviet Union for the conclusion of a commercial treaty.
In reply, the spokesman pointed out the reference on the subject. made by M, Molotov, the "Soviet Commissar for Foreigh Affairs. He said he saw no reason why Japan should not enter into negotiation for the conclusion of a commercial treaty with the Soviet Union,—if] the USSR. so desired, "The sence of such a treaty between the Soviet Union and Japan," he added, thas hitherto been ah abnormal feature of the, relations between the two countries"
Asked whether Japan meant to! lofiset the "bad effects of the abroga-_ tion of the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the United States" by concluding a commercial treaty with the Soviet' Union, the Foreign OMice spokesman' tid:
Unfortunately, he added, the Unite Jed States had" denounced the 1911 Treaty of Commerce and Navigation "with Japan, "but there is no change in Japan's good neighbour policy. Efforts, therefore, will "be made by Japan to readjust her relations with the United States, 1 the atmosphere becomes. favourable 'A. Russian correspondent then asked whether border questions. be~ {tween Manchoukuo and the Soviet Union would be taken up following the settlement of the Nomonhan question, tura and M. Smetanin, the spokesman went on, he understood that they had talked for 50 minutes, with the aid of an interpreter, on Wednesday.
full discussion' of all pending questions," he said, "may have been possible, but they must have exchanged views on various pending problems, including the fishery ques-
"The spokesman pointed out that it was quite in pursuance with diplomatic usage for a new ambassador {0 discuss pending questions with the Foreign Minister, of the country to which he" was accredited before he hhad_ presented his credentials.
'M.''Smetanin will be received in "AN! pending issues between Japan and the Soviet Union." the spokes man replied, "will be taken up for discussion, including the border question between Manchoukuo and the Soviet Union, Referring to the establishment of new "Central Government" of China, the Foreign Office spokesman the understood that "arrange= preparations for the of mew Central Government of China are. progress {ing smoothly, although 1 do not Know the exact date or Its Inaugura-Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.