Mr, Matsuoka had replied, he said through Mr, Shigemitsu and denied what was purported to be Japan's aggressive altitude toward the south and added that the objective of the 'Tripartite Pact was to prevent "a further spread of war'
Mr, Ohashi said the Foreign Minister had told Mr, Eden Japan desired it possible to contribute towards ending hostilities throughout the world, pointing out the mediation of the French Indo-China-Thailand dispute was an expression of such a desire, However, Mr. Matsuoka made no mention of a mediation offer in the "European war, Mr, Ohashi said, He added that Japan would make a strong effort toward ending the Sino-Japanese hostilities as soon as posslble—United Press, Malaya Reduces Petrol Consumption Singapore, Feb. 25.
Petrol will be rationed throughout Malaya starting on March 1, the Government spokesman announced today.
"The spokesman said that though Malaya previously had suffered none of the privations end singularly few inconveniences which daily "are lot of the people in the United Kingdom, we cannot eXpect this blissful" state of affairs to continue for ever. Therefore, it has been found neces. sity, for the prosecution of war, 10 reduce the consumption of petrol—United Press.
{founding of the Japanese Empire will bbe suppressed and eliminated," Prince Konoye asserted.
Prince Konoye defended his own assumption of the ex-oficto presidency of the National Service "Asso-elation which he stated had been or-goniacd fo meet national requirements more important than those of private individuals, political parties, for the cabinet, Emphasising the necessity of ft tive development of the three-Power pact, and pointing out that Koda forms the guiding principle of Japan's movements, the questionnaire asked the Prime Minister whether the gov-jemment was prepared to lead Italian Jand German attitude toward Europe, with the same principles, Prince Konoye replied. succinctly, "It requires no reiteration that Japan' immovable policy rests in the spread lof the Imperial Way throughout the N.E.L Press Assails Japanese Attitude Batavia, Feb, 26.
"It is not Japan's business to guard against foreign interference in nego~ tations with the Netherlands East Indies," states the press here in comment on a Japanese news report of Japan's attitude.
Apparently the understanding Mr. Chulehi Ohashi, Japanese Vico-Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the position of the Netherlands and Netherlands East Indies is well on [the way to becoming a deeply rooted misconception even in oficial circles, the press states.
"May we point out," says one daily, "that it is searcely Japan's busines: Ito guard against foreign interference In negotiations between the Nether-Tands and Japan. We are in fact quite capable, of looking after our-_ selves. The Netherlands policy for negotiations at Batavia is laid entirely independently and it is not only superfluous but also detrimental to} doubt our words. Tt is furthermore definitely unacceptable that Japanese supervision can be exercised over the actions of either the Netherlands or the NEI. Governments."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.