Evening star., 1941-12-08


and Italy.
However, both the United States
and Great Britain have reSOrted to
every possible measure to assist the
Chungking regime so as to obstruct
the establishment of general peace
between Japan and China, interfer-
ing with Japan's constructive en-
deavors toward the stabilization of
East Asia. Exerting pressure on the
Netherlands East Indies, or men,
acing French Indo-China. they have
attempted to fruStrate Japan's as
piration to the ideal of common
prosperity in cooperation with these
regions. Furthermore, when Japan,
in accordance with its protocol with
France, took measures of joint de-
fense of French Indo-China, both
American and British governments,
wilfully misinterpreting it as threat
to their own possessions, and in
ducing the Netherlands government
to follow suit, they enforced the
assets freezing order, thus severing
economic relations with Japan.
While manifesting thus an obviously
hostile attitude, these countries have
strengthened their military prepara-
tions perfecting an encirclement Of
Japan, and have brought about a sit
uation which endangers the very
existence of the empire
Nevertheless, to facilitate speedy
settlement, the Premier of Japan
proposed, in August last, to meet the
President of the United States for a
discussion OF important problems
between the two countries covering
the entire Pacific area. However,
the American Government, while
accepting in principle the japanese
proposal, insisted that the meeting
should take place after an agree
ment Of view had been reached on
fundamental and essential questions.
8. Subsequently, on September 25
the Japanese Government submitted
a proposal based on the formula pro-
posed by the American Government,
taking fully into consideration past
American claims and also incorpo-
rating Japanese views. Repeated
discussions proved Of no avail in
producing readily an agreement OF
view. The present cabinet. there
fore. submitted a revised proposal.
moderating still further the Japa-
nese claims regarding the principal
points of difficulty in the negotiation
and endeavoured strenuously to
reach a settlement. But the Amer
lean Government. adhering stead
fastly to its original assertions,
failed to display in the slightest de-
gree a spirit of Cancellation. The
negotiation made no progress.
Therefore, the japanese Govern
ment, with a view TO doing its ut
most for averting a crisis in Japa-
nese American relations. submitted
on November 20 still another pro-
posal in order to arrive at an equit-
able solution of the more essential
and urgent questions which, simpli-
flying its previous proposal, stipu-
lated the following points:
% The Governments Of Japan
dllu lIlc OliItcN otdlco uiioSi tohc iiOe
to dispatch armed forces into any
of the regions, excepting French
Indo- China, in the Southeastern
Asia and the Southern Pacific area
(2) Both governments shall CO.
operate with the view to securing the
acquisition in the Netherlands East
Indies of those goods and commod-
tiles of which the two countries are
in need.
81. Both governments mutually
undertake to restore commercial
relations to those prevailing prior
to the freezing OF assets.
Sought Oil Supply.
The Government Of the United
States shall supply Japan the re-
quired quantity Of oil.
%. The Government Of the
United States undertakes not to
resort to measures and actions pre-
judicial to the endeavours for the
restoration Of general peace between
Japan and China or the establish
ment of an equitable peace in the
Pacific area, and it is prepared to
remove the Japanese troops in the
southern part of French Indo-China
to the northern part upon the con-
clusion of the present agreement.
AS regards China, the. japanese
government, while expressing its
readiness to accept the offer of the
President Of the United States to
act as 'introducer" of peace between
Japan and China as was previously
suggested, asked for an undertaking
on the part of the United States to
do nothing prejudicial to the re-
storation of Sino-JapaneSe peace
when the two parties have COM
menced direct negotiations.
The American government not
only rejected the aforementioned
new proposal, but made known its
intention to continue its aid to
Chang Kai-shek. and in spite of Its
suggestion mentioned above, with
drew the offer of the President to
act as so-called "introducer" OF
| peace between Japan and China
pleading that time was not yet ripe
for it. Finally on November 26
in an attitude to impose upon the
Japanese government those prin-
ciples it has persistently maintained
the American government made q
proposal totally ignoring Japanese
claims, which is a source OF pro-
found regret to the Japanese gov
ernment.
4. From the beginning Of the pres
ent negotiation the Japanese gov
eminent has always maintained an
attitude Of fairness and moderation
and did its best to reach settle
ment, for which it made all possible
concessions often in spite Of great
difficulties. AS for the China ques-
ton which constitute an important
subject of the negotiation. the Japa-
nese government showed a most
conciliatory attitude. AS for the
principle of non-discrimination in
international commerce, advocated
by the American Government, the
JapaneSe government expressed its