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158
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION
FROM JAPAN
Decode.
Sir R. Craigie (Tokyo)
D.
12.45 a. m.
18th December, 1939.
19th December, 1939.
R.
9.50 p.m.
18th December, 1939.
No. 646 (R).
IMPORTANT.
Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs asked me, when I
called today, to transmit to you a communication to the
following effect: "In view of the fact that absolute military
requirements calling for (? control of) lower Yangtze area
have become amenable to gradual modification, the Japanese
forces have accordingly decided to make various preparations
with a view to lifting the ban on navigation of the Yangtze
from Nanking downwards, under certain restrictions necessary
for maintenance of peace and order and for military operations".
He added that the same communication was being made
this afternoon to my United States colleague by Minister for
Foreign Affairs during the third of the series of conversations,
which have been taking place between them.
Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs remarked that this
was Japan's answer to those who maintained that her purpose
was one of economic monopolization in China. As long as
hostilities continued, some restrictions on trade were
inevitable, but the moment was now coming when a period of
reconstruction/
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