The New York herald., 1921-05-24
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. g., May 20. }

American diplomacy has scored a
victory in its Far Eastern policy. ac-
cording to Interpretation placed here
on the reported intention of Japan to
withdraw her forces from Siberia ex-
oepting parts of Saghalin Province and
to restore Shantung to China at the
earliest possible moment"
This development, together With to-
days receipt OF the japanese reply
TO the identic note which Secretary
of State Hughes sent to the allied
Powers on the question Of zap. in
dicates a part of the cumulative re-
suits of the Harding foreign policy
which has been developed chiefly In
London and Paris, but which has had
the entire world as its field.
Details of the Japanese intention
are so completely lacking that the
State Department is disposed to move
warily, but 1t is confidently believed
that a big stride has been taken in
bringing about a better understand
ing between the United States and
Japan, and that Japan is showing a
Willingness to forego her former posi-
ton of unapproachableness and is
now making diplomatic manoeuvre
which will render it possible for an
agreement to be reached.
State Department officials to-day while
acknowledging receipt OF the Japanese
note relative to Yap were unwilling to
make any comments or TO disclose It's
character. 1t Is und erstood however,
that Il Is couched in much more suave
language than the one addressed in reply
TO the communication OF former Secre-
tary of State Colby and acknowledges
that Secretary Hughes's note raises
questions which must be examined. "
is understood also that suggestions for
the internationalization of Yap can be
best considered by continued negotia.
tion between the United States and
Japan. This Is regarded as a pre-
liminary step to having the entire ques-
tion threshed out by the allied Supreme
Council in response to the Hughes sug-
gestion that the mandate question BE-
rcconsidered.
II Is now well established that the
governments OF Great Britain and japan
HdNG Dctll TGdClluB 10 ObJtIliOllS ItEiS-
tered by the British dominions through
Prenfers Smuts and Hughes to the IN
clusion of any feature In the proposed
new Anglo-Japanese alliance which
might appear TO threaten the United
States. The continued presence of
Japanese troops in Siberia and retention
of Shantung, II has been urged on the
British Government. could not do other
wise than make the American public
suspicious OF the proposed alliance.
The State Department has been inter-
ested keeniy in the preliminary negotia-
tions looking to renewal of the alli-
ance, and with the frankness which has
characterized the present Administration
there has been no attempt 10 disguise
the fact that both American foreign and
naval policy would revolve largely about
developments that might occur in the
Far East.
In view Of the fact that Secretary
Hughes has insisted that this Govern
ment have a voice in anything that may
affect the interests OF the United States,
the Chinese statesmen urged that 1t Is
concerned In seeing that the recession
OF Chinese rights In Shantung be ac-
corded by the Allied and Associated
Powers and not by Japan. as this course
will relieve China of meeting any re-
quirement OF the Sino-Japanese treaty
calling for concessions to Japan IL Shan
tung was restored by Japan.