The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-04
open ECONOMIC
! DOOR, JAP ANS
MANCHURIA aim
HOMO, Army Chief, Asserts
Policy Would Bring
Prosperity.
BY FREDERICK KUN
United Press stan Correspondent

Copyright. 1881. by United Press
MUkDEN, Manchuria, Dec. A.
Japan's forces will refrain from
moving southwark on Chinchow if
the Chinese behave" General Shi-
geru HOMO, commander of the Jap
anese troops in Manchuria, declared
today.
HOMO, interviewed by the United
Press at general staff headquarters
here, stipulated that the Chinese
must behave and refrain from as
suming the offensive"
L want to get the japanese boys
home before New Years, but the
fulflllment of that wish depends on
; whether the Chinese abandon their
menacing activities" he said, with
a smile.
Japan, HOMO said, wishes the
Chinese to retire Immediately be-
hind the great wall into China
proper. The japanese, he asserted.
favor policy of an economic open
door" in Manchuria
Sincerity Is Marked
The mustached, be-spectacled ia
panese general talked to me for an
hour. He spoke vigorously and
seemed sincely eager to create an
understanding of Japan's motives in
her Manchurian operations. Occa-
sionally, he interrupted the CONVEX
sation to give orders to attentive
underofficers.
Honjo's room was of the planiest
kind and only half-furnished. A
saber leaned against a hatrack.
His uniform was bare of decorations.
A vase OF artificial roses was the
only ornament in the room.
A veteran of the Russo japanese
war and of the Siberian expedition
in '918, he processes to abhor war.
He pays daily religious visits to a
japanese shrine and prays for peace.
Z He has taught his children to write
-down the names of the japanese
~soldiers killed in the Manchurian
i fighting. His officers appeared de-
voted to him.
Sees Prosperity Gain
"Manchuria, if it we're more in
dependent of Marking and friendly
to Japan, " HOMO said, mot only
would strengthen Japans line of ma
tional defense, but would bring
about the dawn of Manchurian
prosperity. 1t would be beneficial to
Chinese, japanese and all foreign
ers.
THE Chinese must cease their
anti-Japanese campaign, including
the boycott, and allow Manchuria to
live and let live. Japan naturally
o. would be stronger, if she had a
- friendly neighbor, instead of hos
tile Manchuria
Emphasizing that he was express
Ing only his personal views, HOMO
continued:
"Japan's policy seeks the re-estab-
lishment of peace and order in Man
churia under able Chinese leaders
e offering equal opportunities in trade
and commerce to all countries. I
do not believe Japan ever will seek
an economic monopoly in Manchuria.
Moreover, 1 am convinced that a
technically developed and progress
i've Manchuria would be a bulwark
against destructive influences from
China and Russia"
Satisfied With Troops
Discussing the military lessons of
the recent operations in Manchuria,
General HOMO said:
THE japanese troops fulfilled our
expectations. However, the numeri-
cal inferiority of our forces neces-
STATED the most difficult troop
movements, with the result that the
soldiers were over tired and exposed
to the most severe cold and sleep
less nights Yet they never MUIR
INJURED or complained.
Our weak spot was our lack of
preparation for the engagements in
northern Manchuria, where the
: number of troops was insufficient
= to protect the engineers repairing
:. the Nonni river bridges We would
q have lost fewer lives if we had been
better prepared.
THE morale of our soldiers was
excellent because they shared the
Japanese nations resentment at
China's arrogance of recent years
in dealing with us. The soldiers also
are aware that Japan wants room
E to breathe and to open Manchuria
= to economic development"
81 4 y 8. X y