The New York herald., 1922-01-24
TAKEN All FACE VALUE
Shidehara's Statement to
Far East Committee Con-
flicts With Chita's.
IT'S SINCERITY ATTACKED
Powers Delegates Satisfied
With Promise That Japan
Makes Openly to World.
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.

-
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureuu.
Washington. ID. G.. Jan. 20.
An adroit and timely move made by
Japan to-day probably has eliminated
one of the most disturbing problems
from the Far Eastern agenda Of the
international conference. 1t was mani
testify designed to convince the dele
gates of this and European countries
that there is no necessity for con-
sideration and expression regarding
tie case Of Siberia.
Another pledge to withdraw Japa-
nese military forces from northeast
ern Asia was given at the meeting of
the committee on Pacific and Far
Eastern questions by Baron Shide-
hara, the Japanese Ambassador, on
behalf OF his Government.
The effect was to create the impress
sion that TIE conference would accept
the statement Of Japanese purposes
regarding Siberia and express salts
faction with it. The American dele
gates who made the announcement Of
the important psychological move
made by Japan declined to express
any opinion on this point. But they
did not attempt to conceal their salts
faction with the unexpected turn.
Just what disposal the conference it.
self will make OF the Siberian question
is problematic.
To BE Taken at Face Value.
The chances are that tho japanese
pledge will be accepted at its face
value despite the fact that 1t fixes no
approximate date for the evacuation
OF Russian territory by the Japanese
military forces. 1t is probable there
will be general resolution presented
to the conference to which all the
Powers represented will pledge them
selves to respect Russia's sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Because Rus
sla is not represented it is indicated
that the conference cannot deal with
the Siberian problem as it has dealt
with Chinese affairs.
The statement made by Baron
Shidehara to the Far East committee
comedies with the declaration Of For
eign Minister Uchida at Toxic, so
that there can be no doubt of the atti-
tude of the home Government on the
issue.
The Mikado's troops were sent to
Siberia in the autumn OF 1918 to CO.
operate with those of other allied
forces In rescuing the Czecho- -SIovak
army from the Bolshevist forces. The
last column of Czecho troops was ex-
tricated In September. 1920. There
upon the American. British. French
and italian forces were withdrawn in
accordance with the agreement TO act
In concert in the penetration OF and
withdrawal from Russian territory.
On one pretext and another Japan.
which has been charged by the ST.
berians with attempting TO set up
responsible governments at Chita and
vladivostok to procure special eco
nomic privileges, has persisted in
keeping large military force in Rus
sian territory. The United States and
other Governments have made repre-
sentations to Japan that its policy In
Siberia was not viewed with favor.
Important as n Pledge.
On two or three occasions Toxic
has expressed its purpose to withdraw
its military forces but has not set
any date. The fact is Japan does not
now indicate even the probable tenure
of her occupation in the statement
made 10 the Far East committee
by Baron Shidehara to-day. Her as
surance on this point is chiefly impor-
tant because for the first time she
officially pledges herself TO respect
the territorial integrity of Russia.
In his statement reviewing the his
tory Of Japanese occupation OF Siberia
Baron Shidehara made this declara-
ton to his associates on the Far East
committee
Nothing Is further from the
thought OF the Japanese Govern
mcnt than TO take advantage OF
the present helpless condition of
Russia for prosecuting selfish de-
signs. Japan recalls with deep
gratitude and appreciation the
brilliant role which Russia played
in the interest of civilization during
the early stages OF the great war
The Japanese people have shown
and will continue to show every
sympathetic interest in the efforts
Of patriotic Russians aspiring TO
the unity and rehabilitation of their
country. The military occupation
Of the Russian province OF Sakhalin
s only temporary measure and
will naturally come to an end as
soon as a satisfactory settlement OF
.the question shall have been ar