Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-01

delegation after 1t became appa
raise the question in the confer
Secretary Hughes and Arthur ]. Bal
four as respective heads OF the Amer
lean and British groups, will meet
Thursday with the Japanese and Chi
nese to lay the basis of the negotia-
tions.
On the even of the first meeting tie
Chinese delegates announced they
would go into the discussion prepared
to accept nothing less than uneondition-
al withdrawal of the Japanese claims
was not set forth so explicitly but it
was assumed the japanese spokesmen
would contend for the reservations in
sisted on the recent diplomatic ex-
change between Toxic and Peking.
Troop Question
The advent of the Shantung question
at the council table followed on the
heels of a debate on the general sub
with Chinese borders which, in itself,
had brought the conference to con-
sideration of some of the serious fac
tors in Chino-J japanese relations.
As a result of the discussion, the
conference postponed its decision until
it's next meeting on Friday. Among
the American delegates the belief was
that some general declaration of prin-
ciples might be adopted finally, setting
forth the opinion Of the powers that
all foreign troops on Chinese soil with
out treaty sanction should be with
drawn as soon as conditions warrant
Official Statement
The communique issued after Wed
nsday's meeting of the armament con-
ference committee on Far Eastern and
Pacific affairs, follows:
THE committee ON Far Eastern and
Pacific affairs met this morning, Nov.
30, 1921.
..Mr. Hanihara for the Japanese del
egation presented the following state
ments.
1.-The Japanese delegation wishes to
explain, as succinctly as possible why
and how the Japanese garrisons in var
ious parts of China have come to be
stationed there. At the outset, how
ever. / desire to disclaiam most en-
phatically that Japan has ever enter
tanned any aggressive purposes or any
desire to encroach illegitimately upon
Chinese sovereignty in sending or
maintaining these garrisons in China.
Protected Hallway
"1-Japanese railway guards are act
ually maintained along the South Man
cliuria railway and the Shantung rail-
way.
with regard to the Shantung rail
way guards, Japan believes that she
has on more than one occasion made
her position sufficiently clear. She has
declared and now reaffirms her inten-
ton of withdrawing such guards as
soon as China shall have notified her
that a Chinese police force has been
duly organized and is ready TO take
over the charges OF the railway pro-
lection.
1.-The maintenance of troops along
tho south Manchuria railway stands on
q different footing This is conceded
and recognized by China under the
treaty of Peking Of 1905. 1t is
measure of absolute necessity under
the existing state of affairs in Man
churia, region which has been made
notorious by the activity of mounted
bandits.
.2-Towards the end of 1911, the
first revolution broke out i'll China
and there was complete disorder IN
the Hupeh district which formed the
base of the revolutionary operations.
As the lives and property of for
eigners were exposed to danger,
japan. together with. Great Britain.
Russia, Germany and other principal
powers, dispatched troops to Hankow
for the protection OF her people. This
is how small number of troops
have come to be stationed at Han
kow. The region has since been the
scene of frequent disturbances. Such
conditions of unrest have naturally
retarded the withdrawal of Japanese
troops from Hankow.
Ready to Withdraw
"sIt has never been intended that
these troops should remain perma-
nently at Hankow, and the Japanese
has been looking forward
to an early opportunity of effecting
complete withdrawal of the Hnnkow
garrison. They must be assured,
however. that China will Immediately
take effective measures for the main
tenance of peace and order and for
the protection of foreigners, and that
she will assume the responsibility for
the damage that may be or may have
been done to foreigners.
"t(3)-The stationing Of garrisons
of foreign countries in north China is
recognized by the Chinese government
under the protocol relating to the
Boxer revolution Of 1900. Provided
there is no objection from the other
countries concerned, Japan will be
ready, acting in unison with them, to
withdraw her garrison as soon as the
actual condition warrant it.
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