One correspondent asked if it would be Incorrect to convey the impression
appeasement. In reply to this the that the reopening of the river was spokesman slated that, as announced repeatedly, the Japanese Government Intends to respect the trade rights of third party powers in China. The Japanese have repeatedly endeavoured to open the Yangtze to general navigation, providing there is no interference with military operations. The decision reached In Shanghai is a crystallization of these sentiments of the Japanese "Government. Asked whether he thought the third party powers. would be satisfied with this Secision he said that he believed they would be satisfied in that they will realize that the Japanese authorities fare endeavouring to do their best in the matter. other words the answer to the appeasement question is no?" queried correspondent. The spokesman answered that he did not consider it a political matter but rather a military one.
Reyarding foreigners travelling on he river the spokesman said that it was a matter of principle and that the Japanese authorities feel that any trafic will have to be subject to restrictions ina way. He said that fHince the restrictions on navigation were to be lifted the restrictions on Foreign" residents in. lower Yangtze ports will also be alleviated.
Scme of the matters which would have to be oltonded to before river ation was allowed were the removal of the Kiangyin boom and the replacing of river markers and. aids to navigation which were removed by the Chinese, the spokesman said.
Tals reopening, he spokesman went fon, will be subject to restrictions Aictated by military necessity and. measures for maintenance of peace and order, Consequently the. delslon reached by the authorities does hot signify that the Yangtze will be wholly thrown open to tram. As ong as operations continue along the banks and in the upper reaches of the river a number of restrictions Aictated by military' necessity and measures (0 preserve peace and order Wil Nave to be enforced. The reopening Is conditional insofar as gen eral navigation may be authorized fovan extent where Tt will not tater fore with military. operations. reply to a question the spokes man setd that the Yangtze would be open tp trade, aa well as to naviga-ion under ccrialn'restretion, For-ign ships, "og" well" as. Japanese Wessels, he said, would be permitted canty cargo." Permistion to. navi-tote the Yangize, he pointed out Cannot be granted to "third party powers to assist guerilla operations oF Foreor nf the Chasing Government. hor enn naviention be permited Inerteres with apanese military Asked! whether the number of ports would be restricted the. apekerman aid that prenaralions. were now ior way and that there was No com-ete decision on thie matter as yet it'\eouta probably be necessary" to mit the number of ports he added.
"The spokesman could wot say when tha iecsion "reached yesterday Shonthal would take effector how
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