Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-07-29
AMERICAN GOVT.
WATCHING JAPAN
Policy in the Far East Subject
of Close Scrutiny-Sec. Colby
Has Conference With British
Ambassador

Washington, July g. (By the Associated :
Press)-The American government is un- !
derstood to be giving close attention 10
Japanese relations and Japan's general
policy in the Far East because of the ef
fect on tho questions involved of the re-
cent withdrawal of American troops from
Siberia, the signing Of the consortium rel
ative TO Chinese financial aid, the as
surnption of control of the Chinese East
etn railroad BY the Japanese and the
Japanese occupation ot Northern Sagha-
lien and the greater portion of the Mari
time province of Siberia
Secretary Colby has conferred with Sir
Auckland Geddes, the British ambassa-
dor here. who BROUGHT into the conference
Sir Beilby AlsIon, British ambassador to
japan, who is returning TO London On
leave. Sir Beilby was in position to give
Mr. Colby the latest information from the
Japanese capital. experimenting the
views of Roland Morris, the American
ambassador 10 TOXIC. who is homo on
leave of absence.
British interests in China ard Japan are
regarded here as paraleling to some ex-
| tent those of America because of the
| large business transactions between those
| countries and the British dominions Of
| Canada and Australia, as we'll as the
! common desire of the colonial govern
ments and California and other Pacific
! coast States to find some solution of the
| problem Of Oriental labor. The solution
| of this problem, by the British govern
ment in the opinion here, is made more
| complex by reason of the existence of the
| Anglo-Japanese treaty, which recently
| was renewed for one year
| Changes in the status Of the Chinese
Eastern railroad have been closely watch
| ad Sipra tbie line forms the V9lll l.
| able branch of the Siberian railroad and
affords the only practicable communica-
ton between the interior of Siberia and
Vladvostok both the United states and
Great Britain are understood to desire
that its international character be pre-
served to assure the maintenance OF the
open door.
As to the Japanese occupation OF Sag
! halien, the United States is known t.
be reluctant to concur in this move. =
despatch from Toxic to-day that tina
the Nichi Nichi, d newspaper there. haf
, published statement that the Japanes
government has received an inquiry par
! taking Of the nature of a protest from -
certain country in come ctlon with tn
. intention of Japan to occupy this por
ton of Siberia.
State department officials would neithe
affirm nor deny that the country re
ferred to was the United States. but tn
general understanding of those in clos
touch with the situation was that It wa
the United states.
what purports TO he a copy of des
. patch sent by the comman in chic
b. of the Japanese forces in Siberia TO tn
=, Japanese minister of war came to ligh
4 here to-day. It was dated July 1 an
| said
TT is my intention to seize tnmediat tel
the whole of the territory up to A lin
drawn west of Bakal. 15n miles. incluc
ing in the occupation the Manchuria
- | concussion zone. II will take abol
month TO complete the occupation
When the occupation has been mad
Y Japan will be able to control the form;
e ton of a new government
h THE Commander-in chiefs reques
n that notification of his action be con
n municated to the powers and that tt
IS result OF the notification be commun
d Gated to him at an early date"