The Mena weekly star., 1919-04-24
HANDS OFF" SAYS.
 JAPANESE BARON
No Interference in Korean Affairs Win Be Tolerated-Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Says That Racial
 Equality Must Be Conceded.

New York, April 19.-Japan con- siders racial equality one of the para mount issues of the League of Ma tions covenant and will continue to exert her best efforts to obtain 1t, even tho the peace conference re- iects her demand, Baron Shimpei Goto. ex-minister of foreign affairs and at present member of the su- prerne council on foreign relations at Tokio, told the United Press tonight.
 In an astonishingly frank inter view, Baron Goto said that Japan con- sidered herself the spokesman of all Oriental peoples. and having already obtained the support of President Wilson, would not give up her fight for racial equality.
 Baron Goto was on the way to Washington to confer with Ambassa- dor Ishii. Later he expects to confer with President Wilson, either in the United States of Europe.
 Poses as Guardian of Orient.
 Both President Wilson and Colonel House voted with Japan for racial equality at the peace conference" !" Baron Goto said. "Japan's sympathy for the League of Nations has been dampened by the opposition to this vital issue. But she, as champion of Oriental peoples, will continue to ex- ert her best efforts to obtain recogni- sion of the principle Japan doesn't ask the United States or foreign na- lions to immediately withdraw immi- grafton restrictions, unless they be- come convinced that such action would not result in injury to their in- dustriaI and economic structures. We, too, have immigration restrictions to protect our laborers. Our standard is as much higher than China's as yours is above ours"
 Referring to the Korean situation, Baron Goto said Japan was as willing to grant Korea independence as the United States is to grant the Phil ippines freedom.
 Will Free Korea Some Time.
 Korea, under Japanese rule, has prospered, as every impartial observ- CT will admit The Koreans at pres ent are incapable of self-government, but when such a time comes, and it will eventually, Japan will be willing to Grant Korean independence. In the present disturbance, Japan ex- poets to resort to any steps she deems necessary to preserve order. The present agitation is the result of propaganda of Koreans who have not lived in the country since Japan as sumed control"
 The Korean question is Japan's own affair and Interference by the foreign nations will not be tolerated Goto intimated.
 We no more expect America to in- terfere in Korea than you expect us to interfere in the Mexican situation, Goto said Reports of massacres and undue severity in suppressine disorders have been grossly exag- gerated"
 On the other hand, Japan is exert ing pressure to secure intervention in China by all the Allies, Goto said adding. however, that she will take no action without the cooperation oi the United States.
 We are interested in the estab- lishInent of a strong government ir China, preferably republican," Cote declared. This is necessary if Jap anese industrial interests and those of foreigners are to be protected. We cannot carry on our commercial re lations under present conditions. Un- less order arises from the present chaotic conditions, Japanese interests will be impaired"