"I desire to avail myself of this occasion to say that in Europe and in America, there are some who are apt to entertain misgivings regarding Japan's intentions, as though she were trying to close the Chinese door and expel the interests of the powers from China.
"Let me state explicitly that not only will Japan respect to the fullest extent the rights and interests of the powers in occupied areas, but she is prepared for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the Chinese people to leave the door wide open to all powers and to welcome their cultural and economic ce-operation there.
"In conducting military operations in China. Japan has been exercising special care lest the nationals, rights. suffer. and interests of third Powers should
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.