Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-01-26
JAPAN STATES
SIBERIA PLANS
Practically filings Down Gauntlet
to the Armaments
Conference.
MUST KEEP TROOPS THERE
Promises to Respect the Territorial
Integrity of Russia and Observe
Principle of Nonintervention in
Internal Affairs.


Washington, Jan. 24.-Japan flung
down the gauntlet to the ornaments
conference on the question of her mill
tary occupation of Siberia. Baron
! Shidehara was waiting with his chal-
lenge. Secretary Hughes had hardly
concluded his brief announcement that
the next subject on the agenda was
Siberia" before the baron was on his
feet demanding recognition. He ill.,
formed the conference that he would
state exactly the intentions and aims
OF Japan in regard to Siberia"
Following closely the lines of For
eign Minister Uchidas speech TO the
japanese diet last Saturday, Baron
Shideharas prepared statement was
couched in those reassuring phrases
for which japanese diplomacy has be-
come famous when its governments
conduct is under suspicion and replete
with pious promises.
Troops Are Necessary.
Baron Shidehara stated the only re-
gion now occupied by japanese troops
is the southern portion of the mari
time province around Vladivostok and
,Nlkolsk. Retention of the troops there,
he declared, is necessary for the pro-
lection of the lives and property of
Japanese nationals until a stable gov
ernment is established and order re-
stored. Further, the japanese spokes-
man said only by this means could the
security of the Korean frontier be pro-
tected from anti-Japanese conspira-
tors. He continued:
THE Japanese government is now
seriously considering plans which
would justify il in carrying out their
declaration of the complete with
drawal of japanese troops from the
maritime province, with reasonable
precaution for the security of Japa
nese residents and of the Korean
frontier regions.
Baron Shidehara fatty stated that
the Japanese occupation of Saghalin
province rs wholly different and will
be sustained until Japan is indemni-
fed for the losses to her nationals in
a.
But he assured the conference:
Nothing is further from the thought
of the japanese government than TO
take advantage of the present help
less conditions of Russia for prosecut-
ing selfish designs"
Summing up, the baron said:
"In conclusion. the Japanese delega-
ton is authorized to declare that ii is
this fixed and settled policy of Japan
to respect the territorial integrity of
Russia, and TO observe the principle of
nonintervention in the internal affairs
of that country, as well as the prin-
ciple of equal opportunity for the COM
merce and industry of all nations in
every part of the Russian possessions"
The session was adjourned immedi-
ately upon conclusion of Baron Shide-
hara's statement. Discussion will be
resumed tomorrow morning.
To BE Own Judge.
American spokesman FASTENED to
hail the Japanese statement as a dis
claimer." II was admitted that the
statement repeated merely what has
been said all along In response to
American protests. Diplomatic ex-
changes on the subject have been I'M
der way nearly two years.
American spokesman further con-
coded that Japan fixes no time for
withdrawal of her troops and under
the terms of her statement. is to be
her own Judge of the fulfillment of the
conditions precedent to her with
drawal.
The point was attempted that this
time Japan asserts her honest inten-
tons more definitely and positively
and without any effort to qualify her
previous declarances." None of the
preceding notes were as categorical as
the concluding paragraph In Baron
Shidehara's statement, according to
statements in American quarters. This
statement by responsible American
authority appears Indicative of the
course to be pursued:
"a more solemn and formal declara-
ton hardly could be made. II is as
sumed that Japan's intention was TO
| make the disclaimer so categorical
that II win be impossible for her to
remain definitely In Siberia"
/