The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-15

Great Britain's influence In the mat
ter, he charged, was secured by Japan
support Of British claims 10 Paciflt
islands south OF the equator while
ise OF the Toxic government TO helr
draw China into the war SO that Ger
man ships In Chinese harbors would
be available for carrying troops and
provisions to France.
"On the 9th day OF March, 1916,
said Senator Norris, the Japanese
minister of foreign affairs at Toxic
approached the British ambassador 10.
Gated at that place, with a view OF
bringing about an agreement with the
British government. The British min
lister cabled to his government at Lon
don, and after receiving instructions
from his government, wrote the Jap
anese government as follows.
" British Embassy, Toxic, Feb. 10, 1917
My dear eXcellency:
With reference to the subject OF
our conversation of the 27th ultime
His Britannia majesty's govern
ment accedes with pleasure to request
OF the Japanese government for an as
surance that they will support Japan;
claims In regard to the disposal of Ger.
many's rights in Shantung and posses.
sions in the islands north of the equa.
tor on the occasion OF the peace con-
ference; 1t being understood that the
Japanese government will In the
eventual peace settlement treat in the
same spirit Great Britain's claims tt
the German islands south Of the equa,
tor.
i avail myself Of this opportunity
M le Ministre, to renew to your ex
ceiiency the assurance Of my highes
consideration.
lcoNYNGHAM GREENE,
N tIlid pritannin Ma A la
Japanese Reply.
''On the 21st day Of February, 1917
the Japanese government replied to thi.
communication of the British govern.
ment as follows (omtting formal partl
The Japanese government is deepl,
sppreciative of the friendly spirit ii
which your government gives assuranc,
and Is happy to note 1t as fresh proc
OF the e'close ties that unite the two al
lied powers. l take pleasure In stating
that the Japanese government on 1t.
part Is, fully prepared to support II
the same spirit the claims which may
be put forward at the peace confer
ence in regard to the German posses
sions in the islands south of the equa
tor.
While the Japanese government wa.
awaiting for reply from the British
government 1t proceeded also to nego
tate with the other allied governments
Its message to the French ambassador
at Toxic was signed by the Japanes,
foreign minister and read:
The imperial Japanese government
proposes to demand from Ger
many at the time Of the peace negotia
tions the surrender or the territoria
rights and special interests German,
possessed before the war In ShantunI
and the islands situated north of tn,
equator in the Pacific ocean,
The imperial Japanese government
confidently hopes the government o
the French republic, realizing the legit
imaoy OF these demands. VIII give assur
ance that, her case being proved, Japal
may count upon its full support in thi
question,
1T goes without saying that repara
tion for damages caused to the III
and property Of the Japanese peopl
by the unjustifiable attacks OF the enc
my as well as other conditions o
peace, of character common to al
the entente powers are entirely out
side the consideration Of the presen
situation.
"A few days later the French am
bassador replied to the Japanese for
eign office as follows:
The government OF the French re
public is disposed to give the Japanes
government Its accord In regulating a
the time Of the peace negotiations ques
tions vital to Japan concerning Shan