On
August 16, the day on, which the news was received that Mr. Gareth Jones
had been killed by Chinese bandits, we published an article by him based
on an interview with the Japanese Naval Minister.
Today we publish the answers of the War Minister (General Hayashi
Senjuro) to Mr Gareth Jones’s questions.
What
is your attitude towards co-operation between Japan and China?
Co-operation
between Japan and China is something that should be realised in the
interests of the two countries co-existence and co-prosperity.
We have up to the present emphatically advocated the wisdom of such
a policy, as that is the only course conducive to peace in the Far East.
Anti-Japanese sentiment however, is pretty deeply rooted in the
Chinese heart, and it is not easy to foresee whether this much-wished-for
co-operation can be attained by a mere proclamation issued in the name of the Government.
The future only can finally answer this question.
“What
can Japan do to help China to overthrow
the
Communists?”
The
suppression of the Communist bandits must be left to the Chinese themselves. It is no one else’s business.
But considering the economic conditions in China and the
geographical situation of the Szechuan Province, the task looks not easy
of accomplishment. General
Chiang Kai-shek is not likely to hope for Japan’s direct assistance, nor
have we on our part considered anything like direct assistance.
“What
is the
significance of the visit of Major-general Doihara to
Nanking
and Canton? “
Major-general
Doihara is travelling in a purely private capacity through the different
parts of China. He is a
“China expert” and seems to have a large number of friends among the
Chinese, with whom he has held conversations.
He carries no official mission.
Greater Asia
“What
is your attitude towards the doctrine
of ‘Asia for the Asiatic?”
The
Greater Asia advocated by Sun Yat-sen is desirable for the promotion of
the status
of Asiatic
races, but it
is far from our policy to entertain any exc1usive idea in
connection with that movement.
“What is
the part played by aviation in Japan’s national defence?”
Problems
concerning national defence belong to the military so I have no liberty to
discuss them. I think I may
say this much, that in consequence of the expansion ofa the air forces of
our neighbours we are making preparation in a measure sufficient to assure
a sense of security to our citizens
“What
is the policy of the army towards the economic development of Manchukuo?
It is stipulated in the
Japanese-Manchukuo protocol that we will
co operate for mutual defence. So the Japanese Army is interested in such economic affairs
as will affects the defence requirements.
Young Officers
“How do
you regard the proposals of the Young Officers?”
The
Incident of May 15 is responsible for the birth of the “Young
Officers" rumours. It is
a fiction. Nothing like this exists.
All the officers of the Japanese Army are attending to their duties
loyalty and faithfully. Their
morale and discipline are as perfects as they have ever been.
The tradition of the Imperial Army lives in the hearts of every
Japanese soldier.
“What
can Japan do to counteract the advance of the Soviet influence in Inner
Mongolia?"
Keenly
alive to the responsibility we are assuming for the defence of Manchukuo,
we are exercising vigilance.
“Some Chinese fear
that Japan will attack North China. Has
this fear any basis?”
This
is a mere rumour. Japan will
never attack North China, unless we are provoked to do so.
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