General Matsui, in command of the Japanese forces operating in this area, has given several interviews to the Press, but the one granted to Mr. H. C. W. Woodhead, che, is among the first to have been published locally. It appears in this month's issue of "Oriental Affairs." General Matsui has been very frank in his replies to the questions put to him by the interviewer, and his statements should help considerably towards occidental understanding of the Japanese attitude, or at least the attitude of those Japanese which General Matsui may be considered to represent. From that point of view the interview is of exceptional importance and should be read by all interested in finding out how the Japanese military regard the situation in all its many aspects. Nevertheless it is difficult to reconcile some of General Matsui's statements with those which he has made to other interviewers. For example, on the subject of Anglo-Japanese relations, he says:—
The situation might be said to be improving gradually compared with what was going on in the past, but simply speaking in an abstract manner, there is no doubt regarding the nature of Great Britain's Far Eastern policy. Their support of the Kuomintang regime is emphasized by the steady exchange rate of China's currency since the outbreak of hostilities. One example, in detail, is the large amount of arms and ammunitions which has been supplied by Great Britain io the Kuomintang regime General Matsui has not always attached the same importance to the supply of arms and munitions to China as he has done in this interview, for in his talk with the correspondent of the "Paris-Soir" he is reported as follows:—
In conclusion Generas Matsui stated that foreign aid for China, especially that of Great Britain, was not of major importance, but that German advisers had helped China considerably.
It is apparent throughout the interview that General Matsui regards Great Britain as the evil dens ex machine and the fact that other nations have done, and are doing precisely the same thing does not, apparently, seem to be quite so heinous an offence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.