New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-30
JAPAN'S VALUE TO
ENGLAND SHRINKING
Usefulness of Britain'S
Far Eastern Alliance May
Not Survive War.
By PHILIP II. PATCHiN.

London. Dec. l8.-The answer which
the Japanese government gave to an
INTERPOLATION in the Imperial Diet in
Toxic last week, that Japan was under
obligations 20 no other government TO
turn Tsing-Tao and Kiao-Chau back to
China. has created amazement here. In
the face of the categorical statement
for which the Toxic Foreign once
stands responsible there IS natural ret
icence on the part Of British oihcials,
representing Jauan's ally, 20 discuss
the situation. But there Is very GOOD
reason 20 believe that when Japan en-
gagged i'm the war she gave 70 treat
Britain assurances Of her intention not
20 take permanent .foothold IN the
Shan-Tung province, but would, event
ually. turn the German concession
there back TO China.
More important than this, even, is
what appears 10 be the fact that the
British government, in turn, repeated
those assurances 20 the government OF
the United States.
Precisely what assurances were
given by Japan TO Great Britain or 90
America is not public property, but
that some sort of assurances were
given there seems 10 be not the slight
est doubt. The terms of the japanese
uItimatum 70 Germany were, however
responsible for the belief created that
il was Japan's intention to take hlao-
Chau only for the purpose OF returning
the concession TO China. The second
article of Japan's ultimatum to Ger
many contained this requirement:
"To deliver on q date not later than
September 10 TO the imperial japanese
authorities, without condition or com
pensation, the entire leased territory Of
Kiao-Chau, with view 20 the eventual
restoration of the same 20 China
Japan Had to Fight.
Germany failed to comply with this
demand; she did not even make reply.
japan. therefore, had to fight for Using
Tao. She spent blood and treasure
and that will doubtless be the reason
given for the apparent abandonment OF
any thought Of turning klao-Chau over
10 China, or, at least, not without
adequate compensation.
The continued occupation by Japan
Of certain islands in the Pacific also
appears to be at variance with assur-
ances given when Japan entered the
world war. On August II the British
government made this announcements
1T is understood that the action OF
Japan will not extend 10 the Pacnc
Ocean beyond the China Seas, except
I'm so far as IL may be necessary 20
protect japanese shipping 'ines in the
Pacific. nor beyond Asiatic waters
westward Of the China Seas, or 70 any
foreign territory except 70 territory
i'm German occupation on the continent
of Eastern Asia"
Japanese fleets, however, swept the
Pacific and several groups OF German
islands were occupied by Japan. few
weeks ago there appeared IN the Brlt-
ism press a statement that IL had been
decided that Japan would turn over
all these islands 20 Australia. This
report went uncontradicted by any
one in London or elsewhere. So well
informed a paper as THE Times
only three days ago eXtol!ed this &C
ton By Japan The report, however, was
not accurate. Only part Of the islands
was turned over 70 Australia, while
japan retained the Marshall, Ladrone
and Caroline groups. The agreement
made between Great Britain and Japan
was that Japan should take all German
possessions north of the equator while
Australia would look after those 20 the
south No hint of this arrangement,
however, has been published here. The
Tribune correspondent sent IL last
night By cable 20 New York, bur n may
not have passed the censor, so II bears
repetition.