Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-08
LAPS REFUSE T0 PUT ARMY UNDER ALLIED CONTROL. Answers American Note, Ex- pressing Willingness to Pro-
 tect Railway. ASK THAT CHARGES
 BE MADE DEFINITE Declares Their Army Is Under No Obligation to Cooperate in Fur thering General Operation
 of Road.
(By The Associated Press.)

(By The Associated PressD
 Tokio, Sunday, Nov, 2.-The Jap anese government in it's reply just forwarded to Washington, to the American note of last Septemben, complaining of lack of cooperation by Japanese troops in the operation of the trans Siberian railroad, draws a sharp distinction between the military protection of the railroad, which it is willing to undertake and obedience to the orders and instruct ions of the inter-allied railway com mission under John w. Stevens or the subsidiary railway board. which is in no wise contemplated
 The correspondent of the Associa- ted Press finds that the note, which
 is moderate in tone and which as diplomatic document bears evidence of the exceeding care expended upon it's composition, declares that no in- formation in the possession of Japan bears out the contention in the note of the American government that Japanese troops have flatly refused to protect the lives or property of al- lied railroad inspectors in the terri tory controlled by the Cossack Sem enoff. The note expresses the opin- ion that the American contention is. based upon some misunderstanding and suggests that the American government bring forward any con- crete facts upon which it bases it's case.
 In this event. the Japanese gov ernment would be glad to furnish ma- terial which might explain the Jap anese side of the case.
 "It is a matter of no small regret that information in the possession of the United States in regard to mis- understanding and differences of this kind arising between nationals of the United States and Japan in Siberia seems at variance with in- formation reaching the Japanese government" the note observes.
 The American government, the note goes on to say, appears to be- lieve that the Jananese government understands that the protection of the trans-Siberian railway system is limited to safeguarding the rail- way and keeriug the line open, en- tailing no obligation whatsoever for co-operation by Japanese troops in f'1rthering the general railway plan. # the expressions "peneral opera tions" and railway plan" mean be- sides the defense of the railway it. self such matters as succoring rail- way inspectors in case of emergency, it goes without saying that the Jap- anese railway forces are and have been devoting their efforts to the furtherance of the operation of the railway plan.
 The government wishes especially to emnhasize the fact that the pri- mary duty of the military is the de- fense of the railway itself believing that this is vital if the railway is to be onerated at all It is thoug!lt too, that the government of the Uni teo States will recognize the great efforts and sacrifices made bv the railway.
 If, however. it is declared in the note. the American government thinks that the allied military forces should be made subordinate to the inter-allied commission or to the subsidiary technicality, the Japanese government regrets to sav that it is unable to fall in line with that atti- tude
 Apparently desirous that the fore going statement should not cause fresh misunderstanding the note continues:
 "However, the Japanese governI ment would in no case insist that their military forces are under no obligation to cooperate in forward ing the general operation of the railroad. The Japanese troops will put forward all possible efforts to remove anything that stands in the way of the operation of the railroad and will by no means shut their eyes to the perpetration of offenses calcu- lated to endanger the lives and property of inspectors and engin- eers."
 Taking up the American references to the instructions to the Japanese military concerning non-interference in case of disputes. the note submits that there seems to be nothing im- proper in this stand. On the con- trary, it thinks that any uncalled for intervention by Japanese' troops in disputes between officials or military forces of the allied powers is liable to create grave situation. pregnant with the most undesirable conse- auences. The object of the Japanese instructions being to avoid the crea- tion of any cause of misunderstand- ing or ill-feeling, it seems evident what great importance the instruct 1 ions attach to the furtherance of mu- tual understanding and cooperation.