be built hereon. "For the first time in the history of international agreements the spiritual basis on which the goal set by the agreement is to be worked for has been expressed and unalterably defined: the clear consciousness of each party of its racial and national self and the mutual recognition of this self. This is the true reciprocity, such as is only possible for nations that are self-conscious, national and self-contained, and just on that account capable and ready to understand other nations. "The work of this German-Japanese Culture Committee will have to be steered along these supreme spiritual guiding lines. "Gentlemen, to our universal satisfaction and joy, there has arisen in this committee a new, effective instru¬ment which shall and will ever strengthen the traditional close spiritual bonds between Germany and Japan. I am however convinced that the political friendship which so fortunately unites our countries will also be further deepened, and that Germany and Japan will set an example in the cultivation of peaceful international intercourse. "I declare the German-Japanese Culture Committee established." (2) Ambassador TOGO, as previously shown, stated to VON RIBBENTROP on 28 January 1938 that the time would soon come when Germany and Japan should begin discussions of commercial and trade agreements regarding the new China which was about to be constructed.