London, Feb, 20.
Mr. Anthony Eden, Foreign Secretary, today was expected to refute the reported accusations of British and American warlike preparations in the Far East contained in the note sent him by Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, Japanese Foreign Minister.
Br, Eden was expected to emphasize in his reply thet the preparations were purely of a defensive character, British political quarters believed that "Viscount Halifax, British Ambassador to Washington, would con-for with Mr. Cordell Hull, US. Secre. tary of State, before Mr. Eden would answer Mr. Matsuoka, The Japanese offer of mediation in the European conflict, "which Mr. Eden doubtless will decline politely, was understood to play a secondary role in Mr. Matsuoka's message. The message Was stated to be devoted primarily to an attempt to absolve Japan of charges of aggressive design, Although phrased in Oriental cour-ferny, Mr. Matsuoka's note was believed to contain a covert threat in the form of a hint that some Japanese groups were demanding immediate measures to meet the possible emergencies arising from British-American faction in the Pace.
'The drafting of the British reply' undoubtedly would afford Mr. Eden an opportunity to turn the spotlight fon_the recent Japanese actions.
Rellable quarters said that during the recent Visit to Bordighera, Italy, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Span? Ish Premier, had discussed' with Premier Benito Mussolini peace possibilities.
No confirmation of the peace feelers from the Franco-Mussolini talks Tokyo Comment Tokyo, Feb. 20.
Japan is the only country qualified to mediate in the' present' European War, an editorial in the "Miyako Shimbun," Japanese metropolitan ally, today. "There is little hope for such mediation at present, however. Dut Japan must always be prepared to offer her services whenever the time for mediation comes, the news paper adds.
Asserting that Grest Britain and the United Statec were purposely ele~ culating unfounded rumours of a Far Eastern crisis and have beea -trying hag reached Britain, but observers were convinced that German inspiration accounted for the Japanese' me-Giation proposal as well as the peace theme of Premier Mussolin's conver sation with Gen. Franco, Meanwhile, the morning _mews-papers showed a marked difference of opinion regarding the signifeance Of, the Japanese mediation offer.
the "Daily Telegraph" bluntly: said that "Japan's threat of war in the Pacific" was instigated by Germany.
"The Times" asserted that Japan's offer of mediation was a sincere ges ture Intended to avoid a long drawn-out war which Mr. Matsuoka (ears According to @ state~ would herald an era of Communistic revolution.
The "News Chronicle" diplomatic correspondent suggested that the Japanese offer may be due to a breakdown in Axis plans to spread the war {o the Far East, "Japan has devised the peace move on the spur of the moment to distract fal tention and all in time until the Gisarranged timetable can be straiyhtened out," it sald—United Press, Tokyo Statement Tokyo, Feb, 20.
Stressing Japan's efforts to. contribute to and bring about world peace, Mr. Yosuke Mutsuoke's special message to the British Farelgn ciMice [sani reiterated Japan's readiness 10 toke necessary measures for mediation any conflict anywhere in the world, It was revealed today.
Mr. Matsuoka, It was understood, will shortly address the Diet to the same effect, in order to clarify Japan's motives in connection with the offer.
"The message to the British Foreign 'OMice further emphasized that Japan has not the slightest intention of gaining control over other nations, but that her object is solely one of peace.
This was Japan's reason for cons cluding the "Three-Power Pact, the message said. Japan desires (0 tablish a new sphere of mutual expan sion and mutual prosperity in East sia, thus contributing to world peace in general, the message pointed out—Domei, German Claims on.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.