Tokyo, Dec. 31.
IHE Japanese press gave great prominence today to the state~ ment of Mr, Wang Ching-wei, Chairman of the Central Political Council, who last night called on Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to accept Japan's peace proposals as a basis for discussion if Japan agreed to withdraw her troops from China, Meanwhile a series of conferences were held this morning between key members of the Japanese Cabinet who discussed China affairs, as well as the proposed reconstruction of the Japanese Cabinet.
Mr, Wang's statement was regarded here as the first step toward 'a desired settlement of current Sino-Japanese hostilities, but the next move was uncertain.
Officials here indicated they' believed the authority of Generalissimo Chiang K: i-shek was crumblit but it was believed they would proceed cautiously.
The statement issued by Mr, Wang in Hongkong last night recapitulated Japan's three-point peace proposals—amicability, anti-Comintern collabora fon and economic ce-operation: The statement, which was addressed to Generalissimo Chiang, the General Executive, Central Executive and Central Supervisory Committees of the Kuomintang, advised the Chinese government to enter into negotiations with the Japanese, but only on the stipulation that the Japanese with draw their troops from China, Mr, Wang split with Generalissimo Chiang at Chungking last wede and Toft. the Capital by plane for Hanoi en route to Hongkong—United Press.
Tokyo Sitent Tokyo, Jan. 1.
Japanese oMcialdom declines at present to comment on Mr. Wang Ching-we''s alleged "peace" message to General Chiang Kai-shek.
Although giving it great promin-fence, the Japanese press has also hitherto been silent, possibly await ing an ofelat ead, in view of the gnct that Mr. Wang Ching-wet is said have misrepresented Prince Konoye's proposals on several vital points—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.