"It is natural, therefore," he added, "that the authorities and press should try to adopt such an attitude towards the new situation as to avoid needless trouble with the Soviet Union,"
'There was no change, however, he continued, in the Government's policy, "which has consistently aimed at the promotion of good neighbour' relations."
Although he was not in a position to divulge the full contents of the conversation between Admiral Nomura and M. Smetanin, the spokesman went on, he understood that they had talked for 50 minutes, with the aid of an interpreter, on Wednesday.
"A full discussion of all pending questions," he said, "may have been impossible, but they must have exchanged views on various pending problems, including the fishery question,"
The spokesman pointed out that it was quite in pursuance with diplomatic usage for a new ambassador to discuss pending questions with the Foreign Minister of the country to which he was accredited before he had presented his credentials.
M. Smetanin will be received in audience by the Emperor on November 20, when he will formally present his credentials.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.