Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-01
Jap Delegate
Withdraws Equality
Demand of League.

Geneva, Nov. 3O-(By The ASSOcf-
ated Press)-This was what might be
called self sacrifice day in the assem-
bly, of the league of nations. Spain
and other Spanish speaking countries
sacrificed their request that Spanish
should be made, one of the official
languages; that Viviani of the French
delegation withdraw an amendment
in order to enable. the assembly to
reach a unanimous vote on the rules
of procedure. while Viscount Ishii.
head of the Janapese delegation, in
speech that commanded great at
tention, said that Japan would fore
go at this session the renewal of its
demand that the league recognize the
principle of equality Of peoples re-
CARELESS of race, nationality or re-
ligion.
George Nicoll Barnes, Great
Britain, consented to postpone until
Friday his Interpolation in the coun-
Gil on the failure to intervene to pre-
vent the conflict between the Poles
and the Bolsheviki last summer.
During his declaration before the
assembly of the league of nations to-
day. viscount Ishii, of the Japanese
delegation said:
Japan had the opportunity when
the covenant Originally was formulat-
ed to declare her belief that equality
before the law should be assured all
men. irrespective of nationality, race
or religion
THAT principle should be estab-
lished so that the various merits and
genuineness of mankind should be
emancipated and given free play in
the interest of human civilization.
That principle of equal opportunity
should be one of the bedrocks of the
great peace organization in order
that nations owing allegiance to the
league should to a man be loyalty
willing to make sacrifices in blood
and treasure when the occasion
arises, in order that all should know
that the league unfailingly is for
right and not for might, and in order
thai a lasting peace should be
doubly assured"
1T was to the regret of the Japan
csc government and people" he said
enant found themselves unable to ac-
cept the japanese proposal in this
matter. The Japanese delegates de-
clared that they would continue their
insistence upon the adoption of their
just demands by the league in the
future.
an view, however. of the present
circumstances" said Viscount Ishii,
Japan is strongly persuaded that the
League is yet in a stage when con-
sOiidation of it's organization and its
actual working. based on the present
covenant, should be accorded greater
attention and deeper elaboration than
questions relating to Fundamental
principles which might make for re-
vision of the covenant. and delibera-
ton on which should be deferred for
some time.
From this point of view. Japan is
refraining from making any concrete
proposal to this assembly as to the
question of equal opportunity and
treatment, and will patiently bide her
time until the opportune moment
shall present ITSELF
1t was remarked that Viscount
Ishii's declaration seemed Ito please
Arthur j. Balfour especially, while
the Canadians and Australians gave
no signs of their impressions. The
fhead of the Japanese delegation
I speaking in English began with a
: statement of the great interest Japan
takes in the League. He referred tC
the protest which his delegation had
entered against yearly meetings OF
the assembly then launched unexpect-
eddy into the race issue.