Evening star., 1918-01-25
Japan IS IN ACCORD
WITH AIMS OF Us
viscount Motono, Foreign
Minister, Addresses ParIia-
ment on War Topics.
MILITARY AND NAVY AIDS

By the Associated Press.
TOXIC. Tuesday. January 22.-Viscount
Motono, the Japanese foreign minister. in
his speech tonight to both houses of par
Lament announced that the members OF
the japanese mission recently sent to
America had. after frank exchange Of
views. established a fulJ mutual accord
between Japan and the United States in
regard TO military cooperation in the war.
The foreign minister said:
THE great war which has bathed
Europe in blood for the last three years
continues its grievous course, and 1t
would seem difficult to predict the end.
The valiant sea and land forces OF ali
our friendly allied powers have fought
throughout these long years midst suf-
ferings of every kind with super cour-
age and unalterabie confidence, which
call for the admiration and esteem OF
the entNe world.
Japan, faithful to her international
engagements. has made every effort TO
aid the entente allies TO secure the OBJ
jects of the war and has co-operated
by every possible means with her mili-
tary and navy.
Cooperation Is Appreciated.
81 am happy to be able to state that
Japan's cooperation is highly appre-
mentS of the entente allies. Our allf-
ance with Great Britain always has
been the fundamental basis of our for
eign policy. 1t was, above all things.
the reason why Japan participated in
this war. Since then Japan has spared
no effort to assist her ally. 1t Is an un-
deniable fact that the relations exist
ing between our two countries have pes
come more firmly eemented and more in
innate.
..IUa ara ,,pahla to foresee now what
may be the situation in the world after
the war, but it is certain that while the
common interests of Japan and Great
Britain in Asia exist the governments
and peoples of the two nations Will un-
derstand more and more the necessity
of a loyal maintenance of the alliance.
I am firmly convinced that this
should be the guiding principle OF our
with regard to our policies toward
China I, on a previous occasion. de-
clared the japanese government had no
intention of interfering or taking sldeS
in internal political disSensfonS In
China.
Maintain Good Relations.
The Japanese government will mains
tain good relations with stable goy-
ernment in China, without regard to
party or faction. Such a stable govern.
ment will have always our assistance
and recognition as long as the attitude
and policies of that government are
compatible with the interests OF our
country. Since this statement was
made the government scrupulously has
followed the course outlined. We now
are ably to greatly felicitate ourselves
upon the appreciable improvement In
the relations resulting therefrom.
''One thing desire particularly 10
speak of, namely, the decision taken by
our neighbor to declare war against Ger.
many in August, 1917. The increased
German power was the greatest menace to
the security of the far east. All the
powers having large interests bordering on
the Pacific recognized the danger. II was
for this reason that Japan forced Germany
from Tsingtau. China recognized thae
her interests marched with ours and I
wish now with you gentlemen to extend
the heartiest congratulations to China lor
her wise step in deciding to place her.
self resolutely in the camp Of the entente
allies.
Desire to Increase Tax.
..The Chinese government expressed
a desire to increase the customs tax
to suspend indemnity payments and
also to modify certain conditions. Japan,
therefore. in accord with all the IN
terested powers and wishing to show
sympathy with China in recognizing
the Just demands, acceded to these re-
quests.
The question of the customs in
crease required careful regulation and
conference of delegates of the powers
interested has now gathered at Shang-
hal for discussion of the details. The
government will convey to you the re-
suits of this conference as soon as pos
sible.
'.The government last year sent
speeial mission to America for the pur-
pose of conveying our sincere felicita-
tions and at the same time to consult
with the American officials regarding
the cooperation of the two countries
in the European war. The members OF
that mission exchanged frank views
with the American authorities. and the
result was the establishment Of full
mutual accord with regard to military
cooperation.
"Profiting by this opportunity the
Chinese question was made the subject
of a full and frank discussion"