"Manchoukuo, to which our country ix bound by neighbour ly "and ble {les of relationship, having swift and splendid progress, is low Fendy to emerge ax a. great Power of Bast Asia, 9 fact which is of the globe, "the Japanese Government desired to udjust relations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and s0 contribute toward ensuring the peace of East Asia ax a whole. More recently International feeling between the two countries having taken a turn for the better, we are planning to seek conerete and pracical solutions of the principal ques-andi a. consequent i of Soviet-Japanese relations.
With regard to boundary questions, a truce agreement signed last aut n in connection with the Nomonhan' last December choukuo-Mongotia boundary:
representing the countries €orned has been set up for the pi delimiting " the—precise Tine in disputed areas, "The Japanese Government are now negotiating for an early establishment of commissions with a view to de-Timitiny boundaries of only in the Nomonhan aren but also alt along the frontier between Manchoukuo and Soviet territory for the prevention of boundary disputes and for a peaceful solution" of all possible international contentions in frontier districts so. similar nature. Considerable applause followed the announcement of the latest demands for a settlement of the Asama Maru incident. Your correspondent was the only foreign representative to be present. Of the most unfortunate features of the whole affair is that it has been the cause of embarrassment and irritation to the Yonai cabinet. One of the important factors in the forma~ tion of this cabinet was the intention to be conciliatory towards Britain and America.
This intention, so far as Britain is concerned, has been considerably hampered by the incident, which played into the hands' of the widespread anti-British clique, and correspondingly disheartened the Anglo-philo old-timers, December last. "It is hoped that the Soviet Government will cooperate fally with a view to solving these specific questions and, moreover, that they will cease interfering with our concessions and industries in North Saghalien, amend their policy of supporting the anti-Sapanese regime. in China and collaborate In securing the peace of East Asia as a whole. relations with Germany ly have grown increasingly dial ever since the conclusion of 'Comintern agreement. Our profoundly grateful to the Governments and peoples of those countries for sympathy and support they have extended to Japan since the beginning of the China Affair. Our policy of defence against the Comintern' remains unaltered. We will, moreover, continue to cultivate in accordance' with that policy our intimate relations with all signatory Powers of the antComintern agree. ince the beginning of the China fair the Japanese Government have done all tu their power to bring the British Government to a correct appreciation of the reality' of the situa. tion. "More recently we have attempt. ed to solve the Tientsin question and effect generat adjustment of British-Japanere relations.
Asama Maru Affair His most unfortunate that on January 21a British man-of-war Searched the Japanese ship Asama Maru and seized 21 of the German passengers on board, In view of the Unprecedented fact that this incident occurred in our home waters it is deeply regretted by our Government as well as by the entire nation. Negotations are now in progress with British authorities and' we are doing, our utmost to arrive at a satisfactory settlement, "On July 26 last year the United [States "Government suddenly gave notice of their intention to abrogate the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation which had been for 20 years: since 1911 a pledge of friendship between Japan and America. The rea-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.