New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-29
Japanese Asked
To Transport US.
Troops to Europe
Statement Made That
Question Is Now Under
Discussion Officially

FroT Tho TTnunf BUREAU
Washington, June %. go American
soldiers and supplies may he trans
ported 10 France in japanese ships,
according to advices received here
from Japan to-day. There has been
much discussion Of how japanese bot
toms could best be used in the effort
TO overcome the submarine peril, and
prominent japanese newspapers make
the positive assertion that japanese
Sims may become transatlantic fer
ries for the American army.
The Tokyo Jill IS quoted as say
ing that while the japanese govern
ment has not yet been officially APP
preached By the Allied governments
on this question. il is an Undeniable
fact that proposals for employing
Japanese shipping for the transpor-
,ation Of troops and foodstufs across
the Atlantic and of coordinating the
shipbuilding facilities OF Japan
Britain and America 10 meet the SIT
uation. are actually being discussed
BY the British. American and French
governments"
Baron Den. the japanese Minister
Of Communications, also was quoted
as saving that Japan would be willing
20 assist the Allies within limits which
would not put Japan TO any serious
disadvantage
Earon Den also was declared 10
have said in regard 20 the apportion-
ment Of freight space on japanese
vessels:
Prior TO the outbreak of hostil-
tiles. FOR instance. the Nippon Yusen
Kaisha Vas accepting freight az the
rate Of 70 per cent for foreigners and
30 per cent for japanese. At present,
however. as m. result Of negotiations
with the company. the space is dis
tributed in the proportion OF 80 per
cent for Japanese and 20 per cent for
foreigners. This proportion Is that
for regular liners. Freight space on
extra vessels is exclusively placed az
the disposal of japanese shippers"
"The Japan Chronicle" d newspaper
published in English at Kobe, Japan,
comments As follows on Baron Denis
statement:
Though they foreign shippers) are
Lot perm tied 10 hold shares IN any sub
sidizcd shipping company. they could
scarcely be Disseminated against in the
ALLEGATION OF space without violation
of the provision Of the treaties. which
stipuatos that they shall enjoy per-
fect equality Of treatment with native
subjects in all that relates TO the facii-
ties for warChousing under bond,
tounties and drawbacks. so far. there
fore. as there may be truth in the COM
rlaint that such Discriminate has
been forced upon the subsidized COM
panios By the action OF the Department
Of Communications. IL Is not only I'M
Just, but II is a breach Of an agreement
into which Japan entered when her
treaties with foreign powers we're re-
vised five or six years ago.
NO other country that We are aware
Of takes into account the nationality %
its shippers apart. Of course, from the
cxigencics Of war; or eXerts pressure
upon its steamship companies 10 ignore
old customers who may be fore gners in
fAvor OF new customers who are natives
of the country. Nor would any steam
ship company be likely to take such ac-
ton on its own possibility. as il
would be decidedly against It's interests.
while a government department which
exercised pressure Of this character
would be opening the door 70 all man
ner Of illegitimatc influences