Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-24
JAPAN GIVES
HERPLEDCEO
RUSSIA IN ASIA
Siberian Matter Promises
to be Settled
Quickly
CHITA UP IN ARMS
Delegates Charge Their Island Neigh
bors With Lack of Faith in Nego-
tiatiOnS.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Without
waiting to finish everything in the
Chinese section of the agenda, the
Far Eastern Committee today took up
the Siberian question and, as has been
| forecast frequently, the indications
are that it will be settled quickly and
without the screws being applied to
Japan.
Barton Shdehara, ior the japanese
delegation, laid before the committee a
definite promise that Japan will with
draw her troops from the Russian
territory of Eastern Siberia as soon
as protection is assured her nationals
and the transportation system. She
also made a definite promise to get
out of the Russian part of Sakhalin
as soon as she has completed reprisal
for the massacre of japanese at Nj
kolaevsk.
While the Far Eastern Committee
has not concluded consideration OF
Siberia, members of The American
delegation, from whom would come
anv move the Conference might make
to put pressure on the japanese to
get them out of the old Russian terri
tory, said tonight that it was difficult
to get more from a nation than Japan
has given in the matter. One of the
leaders of the American delegation
expressed the opinion that Japan has
pledged herself to respect the old
Russian territory as solemnly as
nation could do and that "we are
bound to accept the promise as made
in good faith"
He went on to say that the Japanese
pledge made today does not differ
greatly from the statements made by
the japanese Government in the past
to this Government, but he made the
point that now Japan is giving her
promise publicly to 4 Conference OF
great nations. 1t will be recalled that
last summer Secretary Hughes took
a strong position that the powers
should exercise moral trusteeshlp'
over the Russian territory bordering
on the Pacific until Russia is able to
maintain her own rights. That evoked
from Japan disclaimers Of intention
to grab the territory.
The next step of the Conference in
the matter was not disclosed tonight.
and it appeared that the American
delegates wanted little time to think
about what they should ask the Con-
ference to do, if anything. 1t is pos
sble chat some sort Of resolution Will
be adopted in which respect for the
integrity of Russia's Siberian terri
tory will be declared.
However, this case differs from that
of China. as one of the American dele
cations had occasion today to recall,
in two respects:
First-in Siberia unlike in China,
only Japan is holding control Of terri
tory.
Second-Russia is not here to eX-
press herself, as China is.
The first circumstances may cause
some of the powers to hesitate about
adopting such a resolution. They may
ask why they should pledge respect
for territory they are nowhere near.
While the members Of the Confer
cncc consider the next move, knowing
full we'll that it will be Of formal char
acter since Japan's pledge is to be
taken at face value, the delegation
here in Washington from the Far
Eastern Republic has taken the Of
fensivc against Japan. One statement
+,r srrhf 70 4
been prepared before the Chita dele
CATION was certain Of the days hap
penngs. and another statement is
promised from the delegation tomor
= which Baron Schidehara's
81. before the Far Eastern
Ur"- .oday will be dealt with
IS statement it is charged
f:. ~ he time for discussion of the
Far Eastern problem has
near. statements nave been ap-
lg in the newspapers from Jap
sources announcing withdrawal
n. Japanese troops. Attention was
cctcd to dispatch from Paris,
rintcd in this country last Wednes-
lay. in which the japanese Embassy
in Paris was quoted as having said
that it had received cable from Toxic
that all Japanese troops are to he
withdrawn from Siberia and two di-
visions, comprising 10000 men, placed
in Korea.
Upon that the Far Eastern dclega-
tinn makes this comment:
"The announcement of the with
drawal of the Japanese troons from
the territory OF the Russian Far East
has become chroni cstatement with
the Japanese. Since August. 1920,
the American newspapers have been
carrying statements announcing the
intended withdrawal Of the japanese
! %