Evening star., 1936-06-07
BY HIRosHI CLARKE HAwAKAM1.

pOttLtCut SCESHC6.
BY HIROSHI CLARKE HAWAKANII.
TOXIC, June 6.-Declaring the aim
of Japan's foreign policy is to improve
her relations with all her neighbors
and that such apparently disquieting
incidents as occur now and then in
North China or along the Siberian
and Mongolian borders are but rip
pies on the surface. beneath which
lies deep and placid waters, Prince
Fumimaro Konoye. President of the
House of Peers, foremost among ia
pans younger statesmen and by COM
mon consent her future prime minister,
discussed with this correspondent some
of the vital questions confronting his
country today Among these were the
agrarian problems, the League Of Ma
tions, the European situation and ia
pans attitude toward Germany, Rus
sia and China.
Emperor Hirohito, in the dark hours
following the Toxic military rebellion
of February 26, commanded Prince
Konoye to organize a new cabinet.
Though the condition Of his health
then did not permit him to assume
the reins Of government, he is des-
tined to take the helm some day.
Many political observers confidently
predict that, in the event Of Premier
Hirota's resignation, the prince will
be the logical successor. Forty-four
years of age, the prince looks even
younger He is not Of the imperial
blood. prince" in this case denoting
the highest rang in the japanese
nobility.
Prince Konoye's family, always
close to the imperial house, boasts a
lineage going back 10 centuries. His
father, Atsumaro Konoye, also Presi-
dent of the House of Peers in his day,
was a far-seeing statesman, believing
in the resurgence of Asia's past great
ness.
Residence on Ridge.
Prince Konoye received your CORE
spondent at his private residence,
which stands on a ridge not far from
the prime minister's official mansion,
where Premier Inukai was assassinated
in May, 1882, and where only last
February Premier Okada's son-in-law
was mistaken for the premier and
shot dead by the army rebels.
Throughout the interview the prince
spoke in japanese. Naturally, for
the following English version OF his
answers, your correspondent assumes
entire responsibility.
rs there likely to be any change
in Japan's foreign policy as result
of the recent manifestation Of disaf-
lection in a section of the army?" he
was asked.
The prince reminded me that he
was not cabinet member, and that
no outsider could pretend to know
what the cabinet was going to do. But
he said he felt justified in saying
there would be little change in
Japans foreign policy in the years
Immediately ahead.
The guiding principle of our for
eign policy" he continued, lis to Sc
cure the stabilization of Eastern Asia
and to foster cordial relations with all
countries. We hope thus to make
real contribution toward world peace
and human welfare This was made
plain in the imperial rescript issue on
the occasion of our withdrawal from
the League of Nations. Mr.. Hirota,
first as foreign minister and now as
premier, is no doubt following this
general principle. AS between Japan
and China, he wants established a
mutually sincere and whole-hearted
cooperation on the basis Of give and
take, live and let live.
plotting" Must Cease.
THAT means that China must cease
to foment or keep alive anti-Man-
chukuo and anti-Japanese agitation.
She must also cease to plot with out
side powers against us. Then Japan,
on her part, will extend to China both
moral and material aid and will CO.
operate with her in the suppression of
the communistic rebellions which have
harassed China these eight years.
LAS to Soviet Russia, Japan's pol
icy, as pursued by Mr.. Hirota, is to
eliminate one by one the causes of
friction with view to putting the re-
lations between the two nations upon
a secure foundation of mutual friend
illness. We have settled the thorny
question of the North Manchuria
(Chinese Eastern) Railway with Rus
sia, and are now endeavoring to solve
the problems arising out of the am
biguity of border demarcation of
Manchukuos territory. I have no
doubt such matters will be amicably
adjusted"
The next question was: will
Japan's naval stand interfere with
her friendly relations with the United
States and England?"
NO" he replied without hesitation.