Tokyo, Feb. 17.
Occupation of Hainan islands was done entirely for strategical purposes fand, contrary to foreign press re~ ports, the Japanese Government did not communteate with any foreign country "beforehand regarding plans for military operations there, a Foreign Office spokesman told correspondents today.
Foreign correspondents asked when ther the occupation of the island had been done in connection with Tokyo, Feb. 17.
Explanations similar to those given French and British Ambassadors to Japan, earlier this week, regarding Tapanese operations on Hainan Island were made by Mr. Hachiro Arita, the Foreign Minister, to Mr. Joseph Clark strengthening of the tripartite Anti-[Comintern Pact rather than for military. necessity, and whether any feommunication had been sent" 10
JGermany and Ialy prior to the occupation, as alleged by foreign Dress reports.—Domel,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.