Tokyo, Feb. 16.
Japanese shipping operators were called upon by the "Asahi Shimbun" today to cooperate fully with the Japanese Navy "in order to serve public welfare and to facilitate the mission of our navy," when the bill for the protection of the merchant marine will be enacted.
Commenting editorially on the measure which was referred to the Lower House after passage by the Upper Chamber without amendments the daily pointed out that the formation of convoys which was provided for in the proposed legislation was "externely serious" not only in the light of national defence, but for the livelihood of the people in view of the fact that Japan had to import large quantities of rice, petroleum, and other raw materials.
"Modern wars, being totalitarian conflicts, cannot be settled solely by victory or defeat at arms. The disruption of trade lanes is a powerful means of warfare for the enemy in the case of Japan as in the case of Britain," the "Asahi" remarked Pointing out that the convoy system required close cooperation between the crews of the vessels taking part in the operation, the "Asahi" noted that Britain began training merchantmen's deck officers in convoy duties as early as October, 1937.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.