The New York herald., 1922-04-16
Ambassador Hayashi Wants
Traffic Resumed on Siberian
Railroad.
FAvORS CHINESE POLICE
Work Of Restoration Offers
Z Opportunity for Coopera-
ton With U. s.

The United States and Japan know full
well the necessity for reopening the
Trans-S Siberian Railroad to world traffic
declared Ambassador Hayashi, head OF
tho Japanese delegation to the economic
conference. to-day in an interview with
the Associated Press correspondent.
while we may not definitely settle
this vital matter at the Genoa CONFER
cnce." he added, "it stands forth as one
Of the practical issues of special concern
to the American Republic and the jap
anese Empire"
In view OF Japan's primal interest In
vast Siberian section OF Russia, part
of which Japan now occupies with troope'
the correspondent asked the Ambassador
to Great Britain to explain Japan
standpoint as related to the present con-
ference.
Want siberia Opened.
1--WE were present" he replied. when
the experts meeting in London drew VI
the now famous Russian report, and we
have an economic interest in all or Rus
sia, but we are especially concerned with
the Far Eastern aspects OF the Russian
question. We Japanese wish to see
Siberia opened to the trade Of Japan
and China and the whole world.
to emphasize the natural interest OF
China in siberia. Al the Washington
conference Japan Joined heartily In the
reconstruction work for China. We must
not now forget that the great Trans
Siberian Railroad traverses Manchuria.
a province OF China. and that China Is
certainly entitled to policing rights OF
that railroad, as indeed she possesses
reversionary rights in the Chinese East
ern Railway, which formed an important
part OF the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The great artery Of trans-Sibera'
which has bucn closed for years on ac-
count Of the Russian revolution. Is
necessary link In communication pc
tween Japan. the Asiatic httorai anu
fcnropean Russia. Before the war We
could travel from Toxic to Paris or
London in from thirteen to fifteen days.
Now II takes forty-f.vc days by way
OF the Suez Canal
zone Of the first things the Soviet
Cove rnment should do. If necessary in
cola boration with the Far Eastern Re-
public, Is to restore trans-Siberian nor
malcy. Russia will require loans Tor
this purpose and the work Of restora-
ton offers fine opportunity for finan-
cial cooperation of Jaran and the United
states, with China morally backing our
efforts.
Russian Claims Offset.
In referring TO the report that the
royiet delegates would present counter
monetary claims against the Allies as
a result Of military irterventions which
were either supported or led BY the AL
lies, Ambassador Hnyashi emphasized
that such interventohs were due to
Russias detection in the great war.
The logical sequence Of this Russian
detection. he said. was American and
Japanese Intervention to permit the
proper evacuation OF the Czecho -Slovak
army. which was trying to reach the
Asiatic coast for repatriation.
ANY such claims by the Soviet Gov
ernment." he said, "are certainly coun-
terbaisnced by the great expense TO
which Japan and America were put. /
may also point out that both Japan and
America spent large sums in the upkeep
OF the Trans-Siberian and Eastern Siber-
ian roads during the Russian prostra-
tion. or course. Japan has no intention
at this time of demanding indemnity for
the maintenance of her troops because
she knows Russla's financial condition
would make such claim useless. Yet
Il all must be balanced In considering
Russia's debts.
The Ambassador said he was hopeful
that the chita and vladivostok govern
mc~' ~"lh get together MS soon as
pr T. 'rchtccherin," he said. re
q. to Chita as an ally OF the
re should be no difficulty
America in negotiating. IL
he Soviet through the gov
en- ,he Far Eastern Republic"
Iia, 4shi said he had hoped to bring
up the trans-Siberian question at Genoa.
but he realized 1t could not be settled
here. He was convinced that the OPEN
ing OF the Siberian railroad, with the
restoration OF Siberia. offered welcome
opportunity for American and Japanese
business co operation in Siberia.
Ambassador Hayashi's statement Is in
line with tho views Of leading Japanese
statesmen and business leaders during
the last several years. who have never
ceased TO preach and advocate coopera-
tion even in the most troublesome mo-
ments OF American-JapaneSe relations
nnnC NEAA rE TTVEg.