Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-29
Toxic Notified Occupation of
Island of SaghaIin Can
not Be Recognized.
NERVOUS CRISIS" OVER
CALIFORNIA INQUIRY
Chain of Incidents Trends to Fan
Anti-American Feeling Through
out Country.
BY the Associated Press.

'' H'' asSotihieo fress
TOXIC. July 2S.-The japanese gov-|
ernment has received a communion
tion from the United States pointing
out, among other things. that Ameri-
ca is unable to recognize Japan's oc-
cupalon of the northern half of the
Island of Saghalin. The Nichi Nichi
says of the nature of the protest.
however. that the impression exists
mere that the communication is not
really protest. but rather an expo
Sltlon of the American viewpoint on
occupations of Russian territory with
something of Americas attitude to-
ward the territory to be occupied.
1t is apparently felt here that any
publication of the details of the note
should emanate from Washington and
not Toxic. Meanwhile il is considered
likely that Japan. after mature de-
liberation, will forward an answer to
Washington in an attempt to clarity
official opinion there and remove any
misunderstanding of Japans position.
Subject of Interpolation.
Japan's intention to occupy Saghalin
was the subject of an Interpolation
recently in the house of peers. Ichizo
Hattori. former governor of Hyogo
province. wanted to know whether
Japan intended to occupy Saghalin
permanently in event of failure to
obtain satisfaction for the Niko-
laievsk massacre from such govern
ment as might eventually be estab-
lished in Russia.
Premier Hara, replying, said it
would be detrimental to Japan's in
terests to disclose what the govern
ment proposed to do. IL no satisfac-
tory settlement of the Nikolaievsk
massacre was found.
"Hattori fears occupation of Rus
sian ferrifnrV hV lanan might leave
indelible resentment on the part OF
the Russians" declared the premier.
Il share his fear. but think it i'm
possible that Japan will do nothing
in which 700 Japanese lost their lives,
even though action is taken that may
be productive of Russian resentment.
Sees No Alternative.
'As there is no stable government
in Russia at present. there is no all
tentative but to occupy the necessary
points in Saghalien province pending
establishment of a legitimate govern
ment The diplomatic world and his
tory provides ample precedent for an
injured country TO take the steps II
thinks proper. l am desirous that
such government as will give Japan
satisfaction shall be established in
Russia as quickly as possible"
Appearances here indicate that ia
pan is passing through another merry
Gus crisis concerning her relations
with the United States. Numerous in
terpellatons have been made in the
diet about the American attitude, and
while the important newspapers are
counSeling their readers to keep cool,
ii is apparent that a certain amount
of apprehension exists concerning the
result of the congressional inquiry in
California. The japanese. however.
seem convinced that it is being con-
Quoted with the utmost fairness. and
attention is being called TO state
ments that number of Americans
have come forward spontaneously to
testify in favor of the Japanese.
Among the incidents which have
tended to fan anti-American feeling
was the publication here of the re-
ports that the burning of Japanese
stores in Marysville. Calf. was pos
sibly the act of anti-Japanese ele-
ments. Articles also have been print
ed declaring that Americans were
engaged in attempts to steal Japaness
maps. and these have resulted in in
creased surveillance of American
tourists.
With regard to the Marysville
affair the foreign Office today gave
out a cable message from Consul
General Ota in San Fr1ncisco stating
that the fire started July 2l in an
automobile garage owned by an
American and that three or four Jap
anese houses and stores We're burned.
The consul general called attention TO
reports that Were current classing
the case incendiarism due to un-
derselling of white merchants by Jap
anese merchants in Marysville. and
consequent resentment on the part of
the former. but he added that the
police denied that this was the fact.
The consul general concluded by de-
clarins:
1T is unbelievable that the case
was one of incendiarism connected
with anti-Japanese agitatorS.
To The consul generals message the
foreign office in its statement adds a
denial that any of its officials had
made statements to the Japanese
press that they thought the fire was
the work of anti-Japanes ese agitators.
AS regards the reports Of map
stealing. there seems no foundation
whatever for them.