Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-25

that region.
4 "The military occupation. in rspri-
sal for the Nikolasievsk affair. u not
fundamentally q question Of the va
lidity Of procedure under the recog-
nized rules Of international law. The
issue presented is that Of the scrupu.
lous fulfillment of he assurance give
en- to the Russian people. which were
a. matter Of frank exchanges and Of
complete understanding
between the governments Of the Unit
ed States and Of Japan.
These assurances were intended
by the government Of the United
States to convey to the people OF
Russia a promise on the part Of the
two governments not to use the joint
expedition. or any incidents which
might arise out of II, as an occasion
to occupy territory. even temporarily
or to assume any military or admin
istrative control over the people of
Siberia.
The government Of the United
States must in candOr explain its DO
sition and say TO the Japanese gov
eminent that the government OF the
United States can neither now nor
hereafter recognize asvalid any claims
or titles arising out Of the present &C.
cupation and control, and that it can
not acquiesce in any action taken by
the government of Japan which might
impair existing treaty rights or the
political or territorial integrity OF
Russia
ITO that American note, the Japan
csc government replied in July, 1871.
setting forth in substance what Baron
Shidehara has now stated to this COM
r1ittee. pointing out the conditions I'M
Ger which Japan had taken the action
to which reference was made. and
giving the assurances which have been
here reiterated, with respect 10 its ~
tention and policy. s.
while the discussion OF these mat
ters has been attended with the friend
liest feeling. it has naturally been rhe
constant and earnest hope of the
American government-and of Japan
as well, ] am sure-that this occa-
sion for divergence Of views between
the two governments might be 70
moved with the least possible delay.
1t has been with a feeling OF special
qualification, thcrefrom that the
American delegation has listened To
the assurances given by their Japan
csc colleagues. and it Is with the
greatest friendliness that they reit-
crate the hope that Japan win find &.
possible to carry out within che near
future her expressed intention OF ter
minating finally the Siberian e1pedi-
ton and of restoring >Sakhalin to tn,
Russian people,
Mr.. Hughes then suggested adop-
ton of the following resolution:
Resolved, that the statements by
the Japanese and American delega-
lions in respect to the presence Of for
eign troops in Siberia be reported ~
the conference at IT'S next plenafy
session. to be spread upon its records"
All Of the delegations except the
French assented to the resolution
while commenting on it, but Albert
sarraut, head Of the French delesa-
ton, said in recording his affirmative
vote that both the Russian and Jap
anese peoples had Frances full friend
ship and trust. France had full faith.
he declared, that Japan, who had al
ways proved loyal and truthful
friend. would carry out her promises.
The Chinese then submitted sum-
mary of the secret Russo-Chinesc tres-
ty of 1896. at the same time giving as
surances that the fu., text would be
communicated later. The summary
was as follows:
"Treaty of alliance between China
and Russia. May. 1896.
"(Translation.)
"Article 1.-The high contracting
parties engage to support each other
reciprocally by all the land and sea
forces at any aggression directed by
Japan against Russian territory In
eastern Asia, China or Korea.
article 2-No treaty of peace
with an adverse party can be con-
Guided by either of them without the
consent of the other.
article 3-During military opera
tions all Chinese ports shall be open
to Russian vessels.
ARTICLE 4-Thc Chinese govern
ment consents to. the construction OF
a railway across the provinces OF
Amur and Kirin in the direction OF
Vladivostook. The construction and
exploitation Of this railway shall be
accorded the Russo Chinese bank
The contract shall be concluded be.
tween the Chinese minister at st.
Petersburg and the Russo Chinese
bank.
ARTICLE Sin time Of war Russia
shall have free use of the railway
for the transport and provisioning OF
her troops. In time of peace Russia
shall have the same right for the
transit of her troops and provisions.
Article 6-The present treaty
shall come into force from the day
on which the contract stipulated In
article four shall have! been con-
firmed. 1t shall have force for 10
years.
There was no discussion of the
treaty, and Immediately after It had
been reads Arthur J. Balfour. head OF
the British delegation. proposed his
reason to prohibit importation of
arms into China. He called atten-
tloH tnat Rlahy troops now are en-
rolled in China under leaders whose
authority is unrecognized by the cen.
trail government and said that to per.
nit arms to go into Chinese territory
under those conditions seemed "a
very cruel kindness" The text OF
his resolution follows:
1.-The United States Of America.
Belgium the British empfre Frame
Italy, Japan. The Netherlands and