New-York tribune., 1919-02-08
Envoy Asserts
Japan Earned
Pacific Islands
''Any 9th her Disposition
Would Be a Reflection
on U.s. Declares Maxine

PARIS, Feb. BY The Associated
Press Baron Nobuaki Maxine, senior
Japanese delegate to the peace con-
ference. has prepared for public in
formation a document, which will be
issued next week, outlining Japan's
position respecting questions open for
settlement in the Far East
Japan does not come to the con-
| ference with demands" the statement
says. "but is asking only those things
which appear just to us in the light
of Japan's position in and the future
Of, the Far East"
After brief reference to Siberia,
in which the baron states that Japan
ese troops were sent with their own
agreement with those of the United
States and the Allies, he says: eve
have now withdrawn the major por-
tion of these troops and we will be
glad when the day arrives on which
all troops may be withdrawn and an
orderly government set up in Russia"
Right to the Islands Urged
Referring to the Marshall and the
Caroline groups of islands as peopled
by wild and practically savage tribes,
Baron Maxine says:
1--WE claim the right to occupv these
islands for purposes of peaceful devel-
opment. A national sense of dignity
inspires the whole people Of Japan to
the conviction that any other dsposi-
ton would be reflection on us, and
the handing over of the supervision of
these islands would be a Just recogni-
tion of what services we rendered in
maintaining the commerce of the Pa
cfic I'D assisting our Allies in the
Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.
owe contend, and shall continue to
contend, that japan should control the
islands north of the equator, and that
the future of the wild tribes inhabit-
ing the islands must depend upon the
development of their civilization-a de-
velopment which Japan most certainly
will not retard."
Loyalty to Allies Suggested
Continuing, Baron Maxine says:
"The government and people of Japan
have been the loyal allies Of Great
Britain and France and, we believe,
useful friends to the United States and
Russia. 1t is not for me here to enter
into IA relation in detail of .he services
we rendered in this war.
at is sufficient to say that what has
been given or spent and what has been
lost in the cause for which the Allies
fought and won has been contributed
in the spirit Of loyalty and sympathy,
and the Japanese delegates to this con-
ference are here to assist in the work
of building up barriers against future
wars and in forging the links of friend
ship and understanding between the
nations of the East and the West"
PEKING, Wednesday, Feb. BY The
Associated Press Attempts are being
made by the Japanese TO induce the
Chinese government to disavow the ac
ton of it's delegates at the peace con-
seriously embarrassing Japan, accord
ing to semi official Chinese sources
here.
This development has caused depres-
sion over the situation in government
circles, which had previously been jubi-
liant over the strong stand taken by
the Chinese in relation to the Japanese
claims. This depression is intensified
by the fac. that the government is hard
pressed for money and may, it is said.
yield TO the Japanese wishes in order
to obtain the needed funds.