The New York herald., 1922-09-26
JAPSN WILL NOT
QUIT SAKHALIEN
Refusal Ends Conference With
Soviets of Chita and
Moscow.

CHANo-CHuN, Manchuria. Sept. 25
ASSOCIATED Press).-The conference be-
tween Japan and the Chita Govern
nlent of the Far Eastern Republic OF
Siberia and representatives of the Mos
cow Soviet Government ended in failure
to-day with Japan's refusal to fix
date for the evacuation Of northern
Saghallen.
The conference adjourned last week
for both sides 10 await instructions
from their respective governments or
the Russian demand that Japan quit
the northern half of the Island of Sag
halien, which she is holding until indem-
nified for the massacre OF 600 Japanese
at Nikolaievsk in 1920.
To-day Mr. Matsudaira. head of the
Toxic delegation. notified the Russians
that his government had declined to fix
date for withdrawal from the terri
tory. lie stated 1t would be impossible
for Japan to meet the Russian demand
for a promise of the evacuation of Sag
halien as a preliminary to the negotia-
tion of q trade agreement with the Rus
sian Soviet Government. He then rec
commended that the conference adjourn.
AZ. Joffc, representing Moscow, as
serted that the Russians had come to
the conference in good faith for the
purpose of concluding trade agree
ment and settling Siberian questions
which menaced the peace of the Far
East. But. he added. they could not
consent to Japan keeping Sakhalien as
pledge for indemnification for a
massacre for which Japanese troops
had been RESPONSIBLE.
The conference then adjourned. The
Russian delegates expect to go to Pekin,
where they hope to negotiate trade
agreement with China.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (Associated
Press) s).-Efforts to obtain Japan's
ernment of Russia, according to reports
received here. marked every phase of
the negotiations in Chang Chun. Official
reports from japanese sources make it
evident that the Soviet representatives
were willing to make almost any con-
cession to this end, and state that the
negotiations were characterized by
utter lack Of sincerity on the part OF
NJ. Joffe and his colleagues.
From the beginning the Japanese
were reluctant to admit the Moscow
delegates. the negotiations. 1t Is stated,
having been intended to establishing
business relations only with the Far
Eastern republic.
JCHe anu MS Colle1EIeS, IL Is Sdlu,
gained entry into the negotiations es
being given credentials to represent the
Chita Government.
The Japanese Government refused TO
enlarge the scope of the proposed treaty
holding that 1t must stand by the posi-
tion taken by the United States Govern
ment In declining to recognize the Soviet
Government under existing Conditions.
1t did. however. inform NJ. Joffe that
would be willing TO undertake consulta-
lions regaining the reestablishment OF
business relations with European Rus
STA, but only after the negotiations
respecting the Far Eastern republic and
eastern Siberia were satisfactorily con-
cluded by treaty.
1t was at this point. according TO re-
ports, that Jofre. falling TO obtain polit-
ical recognition. introduced a demand
for the immediate withdrawal OF al.
Japanese troops. not only from Siberia
but from the upper half OF the island
OF Saghalien.
In a statement tonight, Boris r..
Skvirssy, acting chairman OF the spc-
cial trade delegation or the Far East.
ern republic TO the United States. de-
clared that "the position assumed by
the japanese in regard to the evacuation
OF Saghalien seriously endangers the
peace in the Far East