New-York tribune., 1920-12-11
i. S. Insists on
Equal Share in
German Cables
State Departments Pro-
test Against Japan's Hold
ing Yap Station Upheld
by Senate Committee
Alarmist Rumors Denied
Senator Lodge, After Con-
ference, Asserts Situation
Is No Cause for Concern

From The Iribuae's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10-In a con-
ference behind closed doors, Acting
Secretary of State Norman II. Davis
and the Senate Foreign Relations Com
the disposition of the former German
csbles. including the cable station on
the island Of Yap, in the Pacific, which
is now held by Japan.
Mr.. Davis informed the committee
what course he was taking in respect to
the cables, and the committee approved
the action Of the State Department in
insisting on the recognition of the
rights of the United States in the for
ner German cables.
The conference was unusual in that
il marked departure from the general
policy of the State Department and the
Administration to hold aloof as much
as possible from the Senate. Senators
said Mr.. Davis talked frankly and put
bis cards on the table. The conference
was in a certain sense looked on as a
precursor of closer relations between
the Foreign Relations Committee and
the State Department, for, though Mr..
Davis is g Democrat, he took the course
which it is expected Republican off
eisls will take after March 4.
Sensational Rumors Heard
Sensational stories were afioat about
the conference because of the fact that
it related in part to Yap and the policy
Of the Japanese government there.
Moreover, Senators were secretive
shout it and referred to the contro-
yersy over the cable situation on the
island Of zap as delicate. Further
more, there has been a good deal OF
gossip in naval circles that the ques-
hon Of the control of the cable and
cable station at Yap was serious. How
ever, nothing disclosed as to what took
place behind closed doors warranted
slarmist talk of war, though it did in
icate that Japan is aggressive in tbs
Pacific in respect to the extension Of
her commercial interests, and is using
Ter control of the zap station to fur
her these interests TO the disadvan-
tage OF this country.
What the United States is insisting
on with respect to the former German
cables, including the one at Yap, is
that it shall have equal rights and equai
share with other nations in the use of
them. In the case of the former Ger
man cables in the Pacific, Japan not
only retains them. but is said to be
using them for her own commercial
exploitation. TIE United States does
not recognize any such special rights
on the part of Japan and has protested
strongly. However, its protests have
rot improved the situation. The cable
station on the island of Zap connects
Shanghai with the main cable from San
Francisco to the Dutch East ladies ana
IS OF commercial and strateeical i'm
portance. However. the Japanese have
row transferred the Shanghai terminus
70 Toxic.
L. s. Claims Pre-War Rights
Under tire treaty of Versailles the
German cables were to be taken over
by the United States Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan. Now the
other powers are assuming that De-
cause the United States has not rati-
fed the treaty, II has no rights in tins
cables. The United States takes the
position that its failure 20 ratify in no
vay deprlves II OF its prewar rights in
the cables, and that il cannot consent
. the virtual monopolization OF such
.sbles By other powers
The differences between this country
md japan, and. IN fact. the differences
sstween this country and the other
Nwers over the German cable lines
-ctc Uccn -ttl tldSUSQ over III the sessions
sere Of the International Cable Con
ference. Mr.. Davis is a member of this
tonference and IS intima ately acquaint-
I'd with the subject
Senator'S to-day sought to minimize
he idea that the friction with Japan
vas serious or that there had been
.ueh discussion Of Japanese policy in
'ae Pacific as TO cause alarm.
Lodge Scouts AIarmist Talk
At the close of the conference SEN
ssor Lodge as chairman of the COM
rlttee, said the committee approved
ssartily the position taken by Mr.
Davis with reference to the situation
senator Lodge emphasized the fact
nat the United States was asserting
asr pre-war rights which could not be
sodified by any factor. He SECUTED
sas idea that any dispute over cables
cable stations. however important
a Itself. could by any possibility lead
war with the Japanese.
The fact that this is practically the
sfss time the State Department has
,snnteered information to the Foreign
heiations Committee was as much COM
9ented on as was The fact that the
apartment and the committee found
themselves in accord
FOR the present, the committee will
,szve The matter where It is, in the
sands Of the State Department. In
esed. IL is not easy IN ace uyhot Com