Nine-Power Pact Change May be Requested Tokyo, Oct, 28.
A draft or the Japanese Government's reply to representations on October 6 from the American Ambassador, Mr. Joseph Clark Grew, regarding the principle of the "open door in China and maintenance of the Nine-Power Pact is being prepared by the Premier, Prince Konoye, and will be submitted to the American Government shortly, Domei was informed in reliable quarters tonight.
A Foreign Office spokesman declared today that Japan possibly would request a modification of the pact on the grounds that new circumstances have arisen as a result of the China hostilities.
The Japanese Government would respect the "open door" principle but Japan's policy might be affected by the new situation created by the China conflict, especially in view of military necessity, the spokesman declared. He pointed out that hostilities were still going on and this must be taken into consideration:
The new situation in the Far East resulting from the "degeneration of the Gen. Chiang Kai-shek regime into a provincial administration" and the establishment of new governments "actually had modified the Far Eastern peace fabric based on the Nine-Power Pact," the "Asahi" declared.
The paper expressed the opinion that the governments reply will "endeavour to induce the United States to understand the actual situation in the Far East in its true light and also clarify Japan's real intentions regarding the China hostilities."—Domei.
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