Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-05
JAPS SUGGEST EXTENSION
OF CHINESE CONSORTIUM
Regarded as Suitable and
Practicable Substitute for
Anglo-Japanesc Alliance.
Seek Some Sort of Modified Agree
mcnt Whereby Pact Might lie
AbroEnted with Another Assuring
Sippanese OF Their Integrity.
tBy Associated Press. !

ny associated PreSsi.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-Extension
or the Chinese consortium, or It's de-
veiopment into more comprehensive
agreement, was suggested tonight by
| unofficial Japanese as u suitable and
practical substitute for Anglo Jan
ancse alliance. Mutual abrogation
OF the convention by Japan and Great
Britain Is viewed rs one OF the possi-
b!llties of the present conference.
AS put forward today. the sugges-
ton was that the consortium be de-
veloped or merged into general
political agreement among the four
or five great powers. The idea was
based. It's proponents explained. on
the contention that any definite po-
!itical agreement AS to the Far East
including especially China. must in
the period OF world reconsideration
give way To. or be built upon, eco
nemic essentials.
Ltnhlc to Crcnte Friction.
In other words 1t is contendcd that
keen economic rivalrics affect polit-
cal stability and are liable TO create
friction and serious disputes ncccs-
stating conciliatory conferences
from time 10 time OF the contendIng
parties. This, IL is pointed out, coin
cidcs with President Harding's sug-
gest'on for continued conference,
might form the basis of Il practical
misunderstanding.
The Chinese Horsepower consortium
Of October Is, 1920 specifically de-
clares that the national groups COM
/ posing II believe that the interests
OF the Chinese people can best he
served by cooperative action in pro-
curing for the Chinese government
the capital necessary FOR pro-
Crane OF economic reconstruction
and improved communications 1t
Is remarked that a particular polit-
cal Importance attaches to the agree
mcnt because the powers were able to
make fairly definite arrangements
with Japan concerning the so-called
special interests OF Japan In South
Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mon
COLA. The arrangement was con-
Guided after visit To Japan Of
Thomas w. Lamont. representing the
American group OF bankers. who sue
ceeGed in obtaining the Withdrawal
OF the Japanese objection to the in
clusion OF Manchuria and Mongolia
in the scope of the consortium.
II was understood at the time thac
frank exchanges led TO 4 full apprc.
citation By the American, British and
French governments of Japan's pur-
pose in merely having guarantee
OF the security of her national de-
Tense and her economic existence.
The japanese government issued an
announcement that the above govern
mcnts expressly declared that they
not only contemplated no activities
inimical To the vital interests OF
Japan. hut that. they were ready TO
give Il general assurance which would
- 1H.fnpI N g.f. a
those interests.
Declaration by Japanese delegates
at Fridays conference that Japan
had no intention of rclinQuishing
her holdings in the Manchuria Prov
incc Of kwantung has been inter
pretcd In some quarters as Official
notice that japan intends to hold
fast To all her legltimately acquired
interests In Manchuria and Mongolia.
Nicc-Fore!gn Minister IIanihara,
" no announced the Kwantung poll
icy. added this sentence, which has
attracted attention In political cir
les as perhaps indicating Japan's
position on any future political ar
rangemcnt:
The territory In question forms
part of Manchuria--a region where,
by reason of its close proplnquity TO
Japan's territory. more than any
thing else. She has vital interests in
that which relates to her economic
life and national safety"
The Chinese consortium has not
yet been accepted by China and 1t
has not yet operated.
The British position as TO the al
lance was today summed up by
British correspondents that England
has no wish TO desert an ally who
SO CALAMITY supported her in tho
war time, but that in considering the
question OF renewing the alliance
she has To bear in mind strong antip-
athies in the United States as well as
in certain british dominions. There
| fore, II was said. il might be pro-
sumcd that Great Britain VAS seek
| ing some form of modified agree
mcnt or treaty whereby the alliance
itself might be abrogatod with a
substitute in the form OF an under
standing perhaps assuring Japans
national integrity by the three
| powcrs-or. with France-the four
big powers. This would take In tho
powers making up tho financial con-
| sortium.