Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-03-31
Bv Robert ]. Bender.

Omitted Press Staff Correspondence
Washington, March 3l.--Whilo prob-
ably purely coineidental, nevertheless
matters of irritation between the Uni
tod States and Japanese governments
are beginning 20 accumulate.
Issues involves mGrked differences In
viewpoint on the part Of the respective
nations now inelude:
THE question Of race equality be-
fore the peace conference in Paris.
The Ticn Tsin clash between
Amoriean soldiers and Japanese.
3 The question OF American eOopcra-
tion with the Japanese in Siberia
against real and alleged bolshevist fac
tons.
Efforts Of japanese to get foot
hold in Lower California.
Race Problem Conspicuous.
5-Thc situation as REGARDS ,nc Japa-
nese claims for race equality as an ar
tiele Of the league Of nations is clothed
in secrecy at Paris but is conspicuous
for the silence surrounding il there and
the fireworks attending the issue both
In the United States and Japan. Tho
two other issues are growing more and
more prominent and there is likelihood
Of a showdown-in friendly diplomatic
fashion-on all three.
Mexico has suddenly injected herself
into the situation, according TO adviees
here, by granting concessions to q Japa-
nesc corn corporation TO exploit sgfienl-
tutral lands in Lower California. The
land in question is understood to have
been the property, bv concession in 1881
of the Mexican Land company But the
Mexican government says this eonces'
sion is now void and the property be-
longs to the government.
That the state department will in
quire into the reported deal--if II al
ready has not done 80 was considered
certain today, Two weeks ago, wnen i
was reported that Japanese interests
we're trying 10 acquire tract Of iand
in Lower California from the California
and Mexican Land company of Los An.
aeles, the state department indIcatea
such purchase by the Japanese could
not be viewed without concern ana tins
was taken TO be friendly notice to Mex
lean and Japanese interests also, BY
forwardig and publishing the senate res
olution Of 1912 opposing the sale OF any
property by Americans TO any nation
which use the property as a base from
which to attack the United States-the
state department is believed to have
acted not merely to keep clear its skirts
Of American citizens.
Friction Is Magnified.
Since then the state department has
disclosed no further communications on
/ the subject. This government is trust
ing to the moderation and good judg-
mcnt Of the present Japanese MINISTRY
to prevent any straining OF existing
amieable relations, il eEn be stated au.
tboritatively today.
Meanwhile the lingo press Of Japan,
few headstrong military leaders and
other extremists outside the IoKi0 gov
ernment. have tried to magnify and
stimulate some little friction, particular
n ly in Siberia. Cable dispatches today
: reported tht JHpahtet wal Aitii''e>A -
nonneed in the diet that American
troops in siberia had refused to fight
, with the Japanese against the bolshe
| Wiki, owing TO an aunarent difference IN
the respective Yankee and Japanese
vie wpoint rs 10 what constituted bol
shevist.
This diffieulty-not regarded as seri-
Gus here-is understood 10 have had its
Inception in the refusal Of General
Graves, commander in chief Of the Uni
ted States Siberian forces, to give sol
dier support Of Kolehak, Deniken and
other would be dietat0rs Of the Russian
conservative factions.
Japs Favor Factions
Graves, guided from Washington,
took the position that American arms
should not be used to further any I'M.
pcrialistic or monaFehist schemes. He
insisting on maintaining the original
purpose Of helping the Czeeho-Slovak'
through Siberia and preserving order
among quarrelling factions. The Amer
. leans, eontrarv to the Japanese, refused
/ to take sides in these faelional fights