South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-19
Great Britain Assures United
States Activities Against
Germany Will be Closely
Confined by MikadO.
ANXIOUS TO KEEP
GOOD RELATIONSHIP
German Counsel Holds KaiO-
Chau Should be Released to
Prevent BIoOdShed-Garrl-
son Numbers Only 5000.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 19-Great
Britain. through Counsellor Colville
BARCLAY Of the British embassy. for
maIly assured the state department
this afternoon that Japan would con-
fine her activities against Germany 10
the China sea, except where the pro-
lection of her commerce may require
wider action. The statement was de-
livered in writing.
It is known that Great Britain Is
keenly anxious to preserve the good
relations between the United States
and Japan, as any breach which
would involve Great Britain would
mean starvation for the British isles
through the closing Of the American
and Canadian markets. The assur-
ances from Great Britain concerning
her ally are therefore taken at their
full value.
Charge d'Affaires Hancel Won Hahn
hansen OF the German embassy IS per-
sonally of the opinion that Germany
should at once release her K1aochau
holdings 70 China, thus checking
Japan and saving bloodshed. He gave
his views frankly today. but said that
ions and that he had no word as to
what the German government would
do I'm response 20 the japanese ultl-
matum-
He said the German garrison at
Kiaochau would be obliged TO resist
an attempt by Japan TO take the Tor
tifcatiOns, but as the garrison num-
bered only about $500 their position
would be desperate. To save TINS
bloodshed and clarity the situation he
feels that Germany's best move would
be TO return the KiaOchau lease TO the
Chinese government.
At the Japanese embassy II is be-
lieved Germany Will not give up klaO-
chau without struggle. Baron
Chinda said he had no further nou-
fication of the attitude OF japan or
concerning the limitation of Japan S
activities against Germany.
ATTITUDE UNKNOWN.
The British diplomatic officials
said they had no information on the
possibility that Germany may yield
KiaOchau to China. Counsellor Bar
clay said that in the event OF such q
transfer, Japan might or might not
insist upon taking possession OF the
German fOrtihcatiOns. 1t is believed
that Japan Will either take possession
of the German defenses or insist that
they be dismantled.
II IS regarded as immaterial that
the assurances OF Japan's intentions
should have come from Great Britain
instead of Japan, but II is said Japan
will follow with q similar formal
statement Of her sphere of opposition
10 Germany. The state department
has already been given formal assur-
ances by Japan that Samoa and the
other Pacific islands in which Ger
many has an interest. VIII not be mo-
Tested.
Secy. Bryan said today that there
is no truth in the reports that the
kaiser has protested 20 Ambassador
Gerard on the subject OF American
hostility TO Germany's cause. There
was a discussion, he said, on the SUD
iect OF wireless communication
The report that the Belgian capital
will be removed from Brussels 10
Antwerp was confirmed today by the
minister TO Belgium, Brant Whitlock'
who said he would remain at Brus-
sells.
In the event OF a breach between
Germany and Japan the United
States Will take over the affairs Of the
Japanese embassy at Berlin A ten
tative request for this service was
made to Secy. Bryan today by Baron
Chinda. II is understood Secy. Bryan
will instruct Ambassador Gerard TO
look after Japan's interests in Ger
many if the Japan ambassador takes
his passports