Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-27
SAYS JAPAN SEEKS
CH|NA'SF FRIENDSHIP
Foreign Minister, in Address
ing Parliament, Outlines
Policy of His Country.
HIS SPEECH SENT TO U. S.

Definite information concerning ia
pans policy toward China is contained
in dispatches received at the State De-
partment from tho United States am
bassador at Toxic giving extracts from
the speech of Foreign Minister Motono
at the converting Tuesday of the par
Lament. shortly afterward dissolved
because of its opposition to the cabinet.
The embassy also cabled that portion
Of the minister's speech expressing
qualification at the increased friendly
feeling between Japan and the United
States.
Speaking of China, Viscount Motono
declared that Japan had a special in
terest in south Manchuria and eastern
Inner Mongolia which 1t was necessary
to safeguard by treaties and arrange q.
ments. adding that unless these obliga-
impossible to expect friendship between
Japan and China He frankly as
serted. however. that interference with
China's internal policies by the former
cabinet had brought about bad stu
alton which 1T was necessary for the
sake of both Japan and China to sweep
away.
Would Be Friendly With China.
1T do not hesitate to declare here"
said the minister. that the present cabi
net made declaration positively not to
adopt such a policy. The imperial gov
eminent sincerely and earnestly desires
friendly relations with China. The i'm
utmost efforts in order to make China
understand our sincerity, but China will
have to decide tor herself whether she
shall rely ON the imperial government or
ka ria1
declares that it has no intention of spe-
cially supporting certain parties in
China. The imperial government desires
to have friendly relations with CHINA
herself; 1t Is not her idea to have friend
ly relations with certain restricted po-
litical parties.
I'm short, the thing most essential for
the imperial government is that China
civilization. That which cfuses the i'm
perial government the most unbearable
anxiety is that China might fall into a
state of disintegration as result OF
the uninterrupted, continuation OF in
ternal disturbances. / think that since
it is most necessary that China main
tain it's independence and preserve its
territorial integrity. the imperial gov
order to prevent, il possible. collapse
and diSmemberment Of China.
Interests of Powers Not Overlooked.
Japan, by virtue of geographical re-
lation and of political and economic
interests, internationally occupies in
China a special position. However. we
must not forget that the foreign
powers also have great interests in
China. Therefore. Japan. while on the
one hand working for the protection
of it's interests, must, on the other
hand, respect the interests of other
countries with which the empire has
special agreements, and that in gen.
eral we endeavor to reconcile the in
terests of the empire with the interests
of the powers. / believe firmly that in
so far as it concerns the common in
terests of the powers to adopt this at
titude is the best course.
"JapaN does not intend to adopt a
policy of self-interest in China. 1t
earnestly desires to preserve harmony
with the powers having interests in
China. Taking the opinion of the i'm
perial gcsSernment. 1T believes that il
every one approaches the matter in
good faith there can be reached an
understanding satisfactory to both
China herself and to the powers"