Tokyo, Feb. 8.
Dr. Chu Min-yi, Nanking Ambassador_ to Japan, this morning presented his credentials to the Emperor in the Phoenix Hall of the Imperial Palace in the presence of the Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka.
The Chinese Embassy personnel was also received in audience by His Majesty. "All the officials later were received by the Empress in the Paulownia Hall of the Imperial Palace.—Domel.
Vital Importance "or that purpose Y need hardly say that It is of vital Importance that there should be security and stability in this part of East Asia, Therefore when there arose dispute concerning the boundary between Thailand and French Indo-China last year I sin covely wished that dispute would be famleably, settled, Unfortunately, However, hostilities began between two countries, spectively of the French and Thai Aelegations), met at the official residence of the Foreign Minister at noon today in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Japanese Delegation, Mr. Ototsugu Saito, They communicated to each other their full powers and found them in good form, after which they discussed with Mr, Saito procedures to be followed hereafter," the statement sald—United Press.
"The Japanese Government con ridered that it would be undesirable, in interests of all East Asin if thi late of affairs were allowed to last Tong and therefore we have decided mediate between the two countries.
"Now that we have entered upon the tassie of mediation, he said "it will Teadily be appreciated that the Japanese Government are prepared to endeavour to bring about settle ment of the dispute with determina. tion and responsibility. It was most fortunate that the conference for cessation of hostilities, held at Sal-fron, zo epecdily came to a satisfactory OMeiat Ceremony wish from the bottom of my heart "that both French and Thal delegates would show at this Tokyo conference for settlement of the dis pute such perfect understanding and Rarnest spirit of cooperation as wore manifested at the Saigon conference for cessation of hostilities, so that the Aispute may speedily be' settled and friendly relations restored between the two countries, thus making an invaluable contribution towards. the lability of Greater East Asia," Mr, Matsuoka said, "The first official ceremony today. was at noon when the Secretaries General of the two delegations pre~ sented their credentials.
'"M. Georges Gautier and Nal Thavi Tokyo, Feb, 7.
"As mediator, Japan. who Is deavouring to establish a sphere common prosperity throughout Grea ter East Asia, will assume 9 fair at. titude," "Mr. Koh Ishii, Deputy: spokesman of the Information Board, question about Japan's attitude towards the peace' conference between Thailand and France.
With the delegations of both France and Thailand already arrived Tokyo, the peace conference wit} open at the Premier's official residence this afternoon. said the spokesman, adding: "We hope for a good result from the confer ent Asked who was president of the peace conference, the spokesman replied that the opening session would be presided over by Mr. Hajime Matsumiya, Questioned whether future _cooperation of Thailand and French Indo-China with Japan in the establishment of a ce-prosperity sphere] throughout Greater East Asia would] be discussed during the conference, the spokesman replied that such matter had not yet been considered, because the parley would be entirely "a peace conference."
He revealed that the Franco-Japan~ ese economic conference would be put aside for the time being during the peace conference.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.