Tokyo, Apr. 15.
ATIFICATION of the Japan-Soviet Neutrality Pact will take place soon as possible" in Tokyo, Mr. Koh Ishii, Deputy Spokesman of the Japanese Information Board, revealed today at the regular press conference for foreign correspondents, If possible "even before the arrival" of the Foreign Minister, Mr, Yosuke Matsuoka, the Spokesman stated, adding that the Government was "endeavouring" to complete procedure for the ratification "as soon as possible."
He termed a press report saying that the Privy Council would ratify the Treaty tomorrow as, "too He said that the Privy Council would take time for a careful examination of the Treaty.
The Spokesman pointed out that ira pretiat sense the Treaty was tua? ion nonageretionpact™ The expressed the hope, teat, the unten ould show a "favourable at ode" Invvelation to dhe china teton, queried whether: tye Pact fad eghisy about China, of Soviet ald tovard "Chungking, ciding that he fovea that it wee possible that. the Rueion of Soviet ald 10" Chungking reeser iseused in the Tatars tinder the meaty.
'i. Teh wae Graxive when pressed by correspondents whether the Treaty Rrecnttiat te ST wound form: ly vecognie'Manchoticio ae an inleSondert sate, "He sia thatthe feetySimplied* Soviet recognition ie" disclosed that Russian and sepancso were wel as ola 2one~ ages in the Teeny, adding. atthe text would be' nade. pubic soon ster rattcatlon Trade Treaty Due Signature of the Soviet-Japanese trade treaty will take place within few days," Me. Ishii stated, The Spokesman said that questions of concessions and fisheries were being discussed separately, stressing that the Portémouth Treaty. would not be affected in any way, He said that he "could not say whether or not eoenomie conversations between Japan and the Nether ands East Indies in Batavia were progressing favourably," He asserted, however, that the Government was "endeavouring to reach an amicable conclusion." On the other hand, talks [between Japan and French Indo-China were progressing more favourably, the Spokesman revealed, declaring that he expected a conclus sion in the near future, Mr, Ishii also disclosed that trade negotiations were going on with Thal Matsuoka, Molotov Exchange Messages Moscow, "Apr. 18, Ar, Yosuke Matsuoka, Japanese Foreign Minister and M,' Viacheslav Molotov, Soviet Foreign' Commissar, yesterday exchanged telegraphic Greetings asa train bearing Mz, Matsuoka sped eastward toward Siberia, said Japanese sources her "By the pact which we signed yes terday," said Mr, Matsuoka's tele gram to Mf, Molotov, "we sot our ations on a new path of friendship, believe that this document. will Serve as a beacon in Improving our relations and Tam extremely grateful to your Excellency for your able participation in achiovinge rapid eon= sinsion of the pact, "Permit me to' thank you: most sincerely for the amicable' reception accorded me by. your Government, 7 take with me only highly pleasant memories of my temporary sojourn in your great country, "T wish your Ex-Cellency health and happiness."
cordially thank" you, Mr, Minister, for the warm feelings you expressed on the occasion of signing: the neutrality pact between the Soviet Union and Japan," MI, Molotov. replied, "the rapid conclusion of which T attribute to your active and beneficial participation, T express the firm certainty that this pact will form a milestone in development of new and friendly relations between the USSR. and "Sapan-and will serve in' the interests of peace, 7 with' you, XB, Minister, health and success in your activities, United Pross,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.