It is my great honour to welcome this evening His Excellency Dr. Ba Han and other members of his mission, His Excellency Dr. Thein Maung, Burmese Ambassador, and his staff as well as the distinguished personages of this country.
It was with concern that I heard Dr. Ba Han was suffering from slight illness, but I am pleased to see him now in excellent spirits. Spring flowers are now in full bloom as if they wanted to welcome the mission, but as the weather is yet unsettled and temperature fitful, I hope that the members of the mission will take the very best care of themselves and fulfill their important duty.
I am told that the duty of the mission is manifold and covers all sorts of subjects pertaining to the founding of a new Burma. I highly appreciate the importance of your duty.
Japan has a long history extending for nearly 3,000 years and during that time she has cultivated unique traditions and accumulated precious experiences. She launched forth on the stage of international rivalry, advanced her national fortune among the major Powers of the world and is now realizing the great task of liberating Asia and rebulding [sic] East Asia. I believe you will find such a history of Japan in transforming herself into a modern State and her experiences both interesting and instructive in many respects. This development of modern Japan was achieved through her strenuous and steady efforts along practical lines, avoiding the vain chase after idealism. I hope the members of the mission will make full investigations into the past experiences and the present conditions of this country.
As you may have already noticed, Japan has built up her present position by freely absorbing and assimilating the strong points of foreign culture, particularly material civilization, and at the same time elevating and enhancing the inherent national spirit fostered in her career of 3,000 years. This aspect of our history, I hope, will be carefully observed by you for the sake of Burma, who has a glorious history in the past and has now returned to Asia as an independent State.
Burma, together with Japan, is today engaged in a war the outcome of which will decide the fate of East Asia. It is not an easy task to construct a country in the midst of war. Dislocation of transport and communication systems and scarcity of necessary materials are well understood here. In such circumstances, if people get quixotic and neglect realities, their difficulties will only be aggravated. It must be borne in mind, however, that the difficulties and sufferings attendant upon war are not confined to us alone, but are shared by other countries as well. People in India, West Asia and South America under enemy control are suffering far more than we are. We must overcome these difficulties with the spirit of mutual help. Such difficulties, moreover, are mainly those of a material nature. As regards the
spiritual force, which is more important than anything else in founding a country, war furnishes a good chance to train it. It is, indeed, in wartime that national spirit is ennobled and enhanced and the foundation for future progress firmly laid down.
I sincerely pray that the great task of the founding of a new Burma will be speedily accomplished under the able leadership of their Excellencies Dr. Ba Maw, Head of State, Dr. Ba Han, Dr. Thein Maung and other leaders of Burma.
Now, let me propose, Excellencies and Gentlemen, to raise our glasses and drink to the health of the members of the mission.