New-York tribune., 1917-08-02
japanese Mission
Seeks to Get u. S.
Views on Far East
National Interests Demand
Fundamental Understand
ing, 1t Is Said
[From The Tribune Bursaul

From The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, Aug. 1.-The fortbcom-
ing japanese war mission to the United
States is expected to reach funda-
mental understanding with this country
on questions relating to China and
Russia, according to the comment OF
leading japanese newspapers.
The japanese press expects the lshii
mission TO the United States to reach
a fundamental understanding with
America on the question of the South
Sea Islands captured from Germany by
Japan. japanese national interests re-
ouire that this understanding be
reached, it is stated.
From the American point Of view, the
most pressing need affecting America
as an associate Of the Allies Is adequate
shipping to enable America to supply
the Entente nations in Europe with war
materials. Japan has vastly increased
her tonnage since the war began, al
though only Az per cent Of it is said
to be in the service Of the Allies. Brit
ish shipping has been virtually with
drawn from the Pacific and largely
from the Indian Ocean, giving place to
Japanese bottoms. But while this
service is valuable, IL is not so neces-
sary as war carriage, and is immensely
profitable to Japan without risks.
U. S. Asks for Information
II Ia known that the State Depart
ment has requested of Japan q state
ment of the amount of her available
tonnage. and this information, when
submitted. il is believed will form the
basis of the discussion with the Jap
anese mission of a proposal that japan
transfer a certain percentage OF her
shipping from the Pacific to the AT
lantic. The service in the Atlantic VIII
be TO less profitable, although the
Japanese vessels would be rissed In the
submarine zones.
While the number Of Japanese tor
nedo host destroyers in European
waters is not made public, officials here
have asserted that japan could we'll al
ford TO dispatch more, and it is be-
lieyed Jan will be urged to partiei-
pate NOR ~ ctively in the antl-U-ooaV
operations sending more destroyers
TO Europe.
There has been no indication of the
direction the, discussions respecting
Russia will take, but it is thought prop
able Japan will contend that she con.
stitutes Russia's principal source OF
supply for munitions and some other
war necessaries, and that in order 70
maintain her efficiency as suppller for
Russia. and also to provide the world
with more ships, keeping her yards at
the highest roint of efficiency, she must
have unobstructed access to the Ameri-
car markets for raw materials, especl-
ally steel. mar
mitted its position in regard to the re-
tention of the German South Sea Isl.
ands by Japan to become known, ana
while from all indications II seems GER
tain this subject will be considered DUR
ing the stay of the Ishii mission, there
Is no intimation even of the stand THIS
government will take.
The Japanese press asserts that ia
nan must retain possession of the ISL
'ands although some Japanese writers
maintain that Japan has no real need
for them. Nevertheless, japanese
vice-admiral is a member OF the mis-,
sion and his appointment was believed
70 have been made with the South sea
Islands in mind.
Ishiis Selection Surprise
Viscount Kikujiro Ishii, head OF the
mission. was Foreign Minister In the
Okuma Cabinet, and his selection for
the position caused some surprise here,
in as much as his foreign policies were
virtually repudiated by the Teraucm
ministry. succeeding the Okuma gov
crnment. Possibly, it was suggested,
Viscount Ishii was selected because his
attitude toward China was openly more
aggressive than that of his successor
in the Foreign Office, the Chinese pol
lev of the Terauchi government being
professedly one Of non-interference IN
China,s internal affairs, although semi
official statements emanating from To-
kio have represented japan as main
tanning that her interests IN China are
paramount. and that no other power
ought TO take steps affecting CHINA
without consulting Japan. Little DOUBT
is felt here that from the. japanese
viewpoint an agreement with America
respecting non-interference by the
United States in China's affairs is
greatly desired, and that Japan would
seek to induce the United States also
to accept the principle Of Japan's para
mount interest in China.
Peace Terms Doubtful
Whether the mission and this gov
ernment will touch upon peace terms,
beyond reference TO the South Sea ISL
snds, in their discussions, is not known.
About the time the mission to America
was decided upon the japanese Foreign
Minister stated in the Japanese Diet
that so far as his knowledge went, no
country had yet published even an out