The Japanese navy was awaiting the outcome of diplomatic negotiations before taking any retaliatory action against the proposed British seizure of German exports on neutral vessels, Rear Admiral Masao Kanazawa, Chief of the Publicity Bureau of the Navy Office, declared today.
He declined to divulge the Japanese navy's attitude towards the British proposal.
The spokesman declared, however, that it was natural for Japan to insist on the recognition of her rights and interests as a neutral Power. It was also natural, he added, for Japan to take a film stand in protecting her rights and interests.
Asked by a British correspondent whether the Japanese navy could recognize in principle the British blockade against German exports, Mr. Kanazawa replied that as a naval officer he could essaily understand the motives. Beyond that he would not comment.
Meanwhile, the Japanese press urged that the Japanese Government take a vigorous stand in the matter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.