The Washington times., 1921-12-14
JAPANESEPLOT
TO STEAL RUSS.
ISLANDCHARGED
Members Of Mission Seek Inter-
probation Of Pacific Treaty
AZ to Saghalin.
BY wICKwIRE.
(Copyright. le3l.)

~ 10 0d8ndiIUs
BY WICKWIRE.
Copyright. 1919
The northern half of the island Of
Saghalin, over $4,000 square miles In
Area. covered with valuable pine for
ests and reported by biologists to
troleum bearings, though retained by
+ Russia In the treaty of Portsmouth
ending the Russo-Japanese war in
1905, has for several years been Oc-
cupied by Japanese forces.
A question now agitating the
minds of the members of the vari-
Gus Russian missions now In Wash.
tngton Ia whether or not Japan Is
confirmed in her occupation OF this
territory by the terms of the four.
power treaty announced by the Arms
Conference Saturday and signed
here yesterday.
They express no doubt as to what
VIII be the Japanese Interpretation OF
the treaty in this connection. the
territory being unquestionably q
part OF one of the Pacific Islands
lying north Of the equator; though
not, 90 far az known, listed among
the formally inundated territories. 1t
10 suspected that Saghalin may be
the subject Of one Of the secret
treaties between Japan and her al
lies. AS to Japanese intent to retain
permanently this rich territory they
are certain. .As evidence OF this In
tention they point to q document
brought to this country by the dele
xation representing the Far Eastern
republic quoting from q public ad'
dress by japanese general appoint
cd recently to command the Mikado's
forces of occupation there.
Claimed Province a. Own.
r. According to this document, Gen.
: eral Kazima declared his intention
to do everything possible for the
quick development Of "our Saghalin
province" This expression, by a
responsible officer on a formal occa.
sion in the nations capital ana
in the presence OF his superiors' tne
Russian delegates here take as con-
ciusively representing the Japanese
official viewpoint.
.Russia, whatever her future gov
eminent, can never concede this ter
ritory to Japan" today declared the
leader Of one Of the delegations,
''and II the powers intend the treaty
to operate for the protection OF
Japan In her claims there. they have
but added another to the causes
making for future trouble in the
Far East. II, az seems more prob
allie, the United States, Great Britain,
and France have simply overlooked
the significance of the treaty In Its
application to the Russian portion OF
remedied before the treaty II con-
firrned by an amendment expressly
stipulating the omission OF this ter
ritory from the scope OF Its opera
tion.
Gives Trade RSut Control.
''It is almost az much to the
interest Of the western powers,
especially to those honestly advocat.
ing the application of the open door
principle in AHA. as It 10 to the
interest Of Russia. that our sover-
eighty over the northern half of
SaRhalin be preserved. Extension OF
Japanese sovereignty over this terri
tory would give them effective
control of every practicable trane
route into Siberia, northern Man
churia and outer Mongolia In time OF
peace, and in case of war would en-
able them, at days notice, almost:
Asia from the Gulf of Amur to the
yellow Sea- The Sea OF Japan and
the Gulf of Tartar could be made az
inaccessible to other powers than
Japan as was tho Black Sea to the
allies in the late European war"
Reference to q large military map
in the possession OF one OF the
advisers of the Chita delesstion.
though an ordinary map or Asia
would serve the purpose as well,
made clear the point made BY tho
gUokesnnan. The northern end OF
the island of Saghalin commands
effectively the north OF tho Amur
river, the great water route leading
: up to the fertile plains OF southern
J Sibsria. dividing them from the
equally rich fields Of Manchurta and
MONGOLIA, navigabls for steamers
Tar up it's course and for river crafts
for over 1000 miles.
At it's nearest point. just of the
mouth of the Amur, the island Of Sag.
balm Is but five miles from tho Sibor-
ian mainland, and from this point IT,
and the principal islands OF the Jep-
anese empire circle westerly. south.
and back southeasteriy 70 the narrow
strait separating Korea from the jap
anese island of Rushu, on which ts
situated tho important city Of Maya
aalki. With their ownership of north
srn Saghalin established. approach to
1900 miles Of the Asiatic coast. not
reckoning indentations. a distance
greater than that of the Pacific coast |
line of the United States. would be
blocked except for narrow channels
under Japanese control
In . Rich Territory.
The basin of the Amur alone is
reckoned to contain nearly a million
square miles, and, in addition to Its
AGRICULTURAL wealth, is reported to be
rich in COAL iron and other minerals.
Gold there has long been mined In
paying quantities, and petroleum,
more valuable than gold these days,
vbouub updevelOped In believed to
exist Ia almost inexhaustible measures.
Such railroad approaches to this great
territory as exist, through Vladivos-
tok, Fusan, Dalny and Port Arthur.
already are under Japanese control.
Even the restoration to Russia OF
Vladivoetok, promised repeatedly by
the japanese. would not compensate
for the loss of saghalin and free ac-
cess to the mouth Of the Amur as