New-York tribune., 1922-01-25
PurposeAnnouncedt 10 En-
courage Stable Govern
ment; No Interference
in Affairs, Is Pledge
Rift Between L. S.
And Toxic Revealed
Hughes DiscIose> Strong
Objections 10 Troops
Remaining in Territory
By Thomas Steep

WASHINGTON. Jan. 24.-Amer-
lea joined othcr powers to-day IN
assuming moral trustceship' over
Siberia. It's purpose is to encourage
Siberia TO perfect stable govern
nent, to assure her territorial integ-
rlty and freedom from foreign in-
reference in her internal affairs
and to hold Japan to a promise that
all japanese troops will be with
drawn. With the adoption of res
oiutlon recognizing America s views
and emphasizing Japan's pledge, the
conference delegates closed suddenly
the whole Siberian issue.
Tonight two of the three govern
inents in Siberia criticized the action
Of the powers. The delegates from
the Far Eastern Republic of Chita,
who charge that the Siberian ques-
ton has been adjusted without Rus
sian representation or consent. as
serted their government would reject
the moral trustecship. The Pr-
Amur government, with hcadquar-
tcrs at Nladivostok. which is anti
Bolslevik and opposed to tho Chita
Republic, likewise said a moral trus-
teeship would be unacceptable and
reiterated their charge that the Jap
ancsc were preparing 10 remain per-
manently in Siberia. Soviet Siberia,
under the control of Moscow. has
not been heard from officially. but it
is known to be antagoristic to the \
trustceship plan.
Japanese Rift Disclosed
Almost oversha dowing the Siberian
agreement in Importance was the dis
closure by Secretary of State Hughes
in the discussion before the Committee
on Pacific and Far Eastern Questions
that serious differences have existed
for two years and continue to exist.
between the United States and japan
over the presence Of Japanese troops
in Siberia. Mr.. Hughes expressed en-
phatically this governments anxict,
over the situation.
Calling attention to the explanation
made by Baron Shidehara. the Japa-
nesc Am mbassador. that Japanese troops
were being kept in the north or Rus
sian. half of Saghalin Island. in repri-
sal for the massacre of 700 Japanese
nationals at Nicolaicvsk in 1929, Mr.
Hughes said the United States re-
gretted that The Toxic government did
not seek some other method Of obtain
ing satisfaction On May 81 1921, this
government, Mr. Hughes disclosed. sent
long and vigorous protest to Japan,
which was one of a series designed TO
remove "thc divergence of views be-
tween the two governments.
"As to the occupation of Saghalin in
ese at Nico aievsk," said Mr.. Hughes,
after he reviewed Americas diplomatic
notes insisting on the withdra wa of
Japanese troops as pledged by Japan in
1918, "the United States was not un-
impressed by the serious character of
that catastrophe but, having in mind
the conditions accepted by both gov
crnments at the outset Of the joint eX-
petition, of which the Nicoaievsk
massacre must be considered an Incl
dent, it has regretted that Japan should
deem necessary the occupation of Rus
sian territory as means of assuring
suitable adjustment with future
Russian government
Joint Expedition Explained
At the outset, MIR. Hughes said,
America opposed military Intervention
in Siberia, but in July, 1918, to rescue
Czecho Slovaks then in danger while
marching through Siberia to aid the
Russians to establish a free govern
ment and to guard military stores at
Nladivostok. it decided to send its
troops jointly with those of the Allies.
Referring to Japans still maintaining
about ten times more troops in Siberia
than she originally sent in, Mr.. Hughes
said the conditions of the expedition
required the complete withdrawal OF
Japanese troops from all Russian ter
ritory.
THE American government opposed
the idea of military intervention'
continued Mr.. Hughes, but regarded
military action as admissible at the
time solely for the purpose of helping
the Czecho Slovaks consolidate their
forces and get into successful cooper
alton with their Slavic kinsmen, and to
steady any efforts at clf-gcvernment
or sclf-defcnsc in which the Russians
themselves might be willing to accept
assistance. It was stated that the
American government proposed to ask
all associated in this course of action
to unite in assuring the people OF Rus
sia in the most public and solemn man
ner that none Of the governments
uniting in action either in Siberia or
in northern Russia contemplated asv
interference of any kind with tae po-
litical sovereignty Of Russia, any in
tervention in her internal affairs or
any impairment of her territorial in
tegrity either now or hereafter, but
that each Of the associated powers had
the single object of affording such aid
| as should be acceptable, and only such
aid rs should be acceptable. to the
Russian people in their endeavor to
regain control of their own affairs,
their own territory and their own des.
tiny.
"The United States of America with
drew its troops from Siberia in the
spring of 1920 because it considercd
| that the original purposek of The AZ